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Absolute configuration (D/L nomenclature)
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The absolute configuration of all monosaccharides is denoted by the configuration at one particular stereocentre in that sugar, namely the stereocentre furthest from the anomeric centre (the carbonyl carbon in the open chain representation) [1]. If, in the Fischer projection, that centre has the hydroxyl group on the right, it is a D-sugar; if on the left, it is an L-sugar. By convention, the "D" and "L" symbols are written in small capitals.
The configurations of the other centres relative to this define the individual sugars, e.g. D-glucose, L-threose, etc.
References
- Robert V. Stick and Spencer J. Williams. (2009) Carbohydrates. Elsevier Science.