Glycerinaldehyde

GLYCERINALDEHYDE, CH_a. .(OH).CH(OH).CH:O, is an aldehyde of the three-atoms alcohol - glycerin. G. a. is also called glycerose by analogy of structure with carbohydrates. G. a. can form in the human and animal body during processes of intracellular fat exchange; they break down into glycerin and fatty acids, and glycerin, oxidizing, transforms into G. a. The latter can further transform into methylglyoxal, pyruvic, lactic acids, etc. Theoretically, formation of G. a. from glucose during alcoholic fermentation or during processes of carbohydrate exchange in the animal organism is also possible (see Glycolysis), however, there are no experimental proofs of formation of G. a. from glucose during alcoholic fermentation. Fischer (E. Fischer) from G. a. for the first time synthesized a monosaccharide (hexose); by condensation of two particles of G. a. he obtained acrose, which proved to be racemic fructose.