Glycosyl

File:Beta-D-Glucopyranosyl.png

The β-D-glucopyranosyl group which is obtained by the removal of the hemiacetal hydroxyl group from β-D-glucopyranose

A glycosyl group is a univalent free radical or substituent structure obtained by removing the hemiacetal hydroxyl group from the cyclic form of a monosaccharide and, by extension, of a lower oligosaccharide. Glycosyl also reacts with inorganic acids, such as phosphoric acid, forming an ester such as glucose 1-phosphate.

Examples

In cellulose, glycosyl groups link together 1,4-beta-D-glucosyl units to form chains of (1,4-beta-D-glucosyl)_n. Another example is ribityl in 6,7-Dimethyl-8-ribityllumazine.

Substituent groups other than glycosyl groups

File:Beta-D-Glucopyranos-3-O-yl.png

The β-D-glucopyranose-3-O-yl group which is obtained by the removal of a hydrogen from the C3 hydroxyl of β-D-glucopyranose

Instead of the hemiacetal hydroxyl group, a hydrogen atom can be removed to form a substituent, for example the hydrogen off the hydroxyl on C3 of a glucose molecule. Then the substituent is called D-glucopyranos-3-O-yl as it appears in the name of the drug Mifamurtide.

See also

• Acyl group