Fischer Projections of L-Erythrose

All of the images below are for L-erythrose. Rotate the images so see how the 3-dimensional model correlates with the three Fischer projections beneath it. The excercise demonstrates how all nine projections are for the same molecule. All are correct. It is a matter of perspective which one is drawn. The convention for sugars is to use the first projection on the left, with the aldehyde or ketone on top and the CH2OH on the bottom. For typical organic molecules there is no convention for which perspective is best.
Red = Oxygen, Grey = Carbon, White = Hydrogen


to see and manipulate the images you must be sure that the chime plug-in is installed


return to CHM 202 | tutorials
Created April 6, 1999. KC Russell, University of Miami