Identify the number of structure/s from the following which can be correlated to D-glyceraldehyde.
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When identifying stereoisomers, make sure to check the configuration at the chiral centers. D-glyceraldehyde specifically has a chiral center that defines its stereochemistry.
D-glyceraldehyde, the simplest monosaccharide with a single chiral center, is a three-carbon aldose. Its structural formula is: \[ \text{CHO-CHOH-CHOH} \] Of the provided structures:
- Structure (A) correctly depicts D-glyceraldehyde, matching both its formula and configuration.
- Structure (B) is an isomer of D-glyceraldehyde with a matching configuration.
- Structures (C) and (D) do not represent D-glyceraldehyde due to incorrect stereochemistry at the chiral center.
Therefore, only structures (A) and (B) are correlatable to D-glyceraldehyde.
