atoms and having an aldehyde functional group.

In aqueous solution, deoxyribose primarily exists as a mixture of three structures: the linear form H-(C=O)-(CH₂)-(CHOH)₃-H and two ring forms, deoxyribofuranose ("C3´-endo"), with a five-membered ring, and deoxyribopyranose ("C2´-endo"), with a six-membered ring. The latter form is predominant (whereas the C3´-endo form is favored for ribose). thumb