MolDraw › 3D molecule models › Fructose 3D model
Fructose molecule model (C6H12O6)
Fructose, or fruit sugar, is a ketohexose. It has the same formula as glucose but a C=O at carbon 2 instead of carbon 1. In solution it cyclises mainly to pyranose and furanose rings.
Drag to rotate · pinch or scroll to zoom. 3D coordinates: PubChem conformer (CID 2723872).
Fructose at a glance
| Formula | C6H12O6 |
|---|---|
| Molar mass | 180.16 g/mol |
| IUPAC name | (3S,4R,5R)-2-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-2,3,4,5-tetrol |
| Atoms / bonds | 24 / 24 |
| H-bond donors / acceptors | 5 / 6 |
| XLogP3 | -2.8 |
| SMILES | C1[C@H]([C@H]([C@@H](C(O1)(CO)O)O)O)O |
| PubChem CID | 2723872 |
What the 3D model of Fructose shows
The model contains 24 atoms (12 heavy atoms and 12 hydrogens) joined by 24 bonds; in ball-and-stick mode every stick is one bond, and double or aromatic bonds are drawn as multiple sticks. Switch to space-filling to see the molecule as its electron cloud, scaled to van der Waals radii: this is the shape other molecules actually "feel". It can donate 5 and accept 6 hydrogen bonds, and its PubChem XLogP3 of -2.8 means it is very water-loving (hydrophilic). Its topological polar surface area is 110 Ų.
Shape and bond angles
| Atom(s) | Geometry / hybridisation | Angles & lengths |
|---|---|---|
| ring/chain C | Tetrahedral, sp³ | ≈ 109.5° |
| C2 (open chain) | Trigonal planar, sp² ketone | ≈ 120° |
Is Fructose polar?
Very polar and highly soluble: fructose is the most water-soluble common sugar.
Elemental composition of C6H12O6
| Element | Atoms | Mass (g/mol) | Mass % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 6 | 72.066 | 40.00% |
| Hydrogen (H) | 12 | 12.096 | 6.71% |
| Oxygen (O) | 6 | 95.994 | 53.28% |
Calculated from IUPAC standard atomic weights. Check any formula with the molar mass calculator.
Uses of fructose
- Sweetener (about 1.2–1.8× as sweet as sucrose)
- Half of sucrose and a component of high-fructose corn syrup
- Honey and fruits
Interesting facts
- Glucose (an aldose) and fructose (a ketose) are structural isomers.
- In sucrose, fructose is present as a five-membered furanose ring.
- Fructose is metabolised mainly in the liver.
Drawing structures for your notes? MolDraw is a free online chemical structure editor for molecules, reactions and lab diagrams.
Open MolDraw editorFrequently asked questions
How is fructose different from glucose?
Both are C₆H₁₂O₆, but fructose is a ketose (C=O at C2) and glucose an aldose (CHO at C1). They also form different ring sizes.
What ring does fructose form?
Mainly a six-membered β-pyranose in water, and a five-membered furanose when bound in sucrose.
What is the chemical formula and molar mass of fructose?
Fructose is C6H12O6 with a molar mass of 180.16 g/mol (PubChem CID 2723872). It contains 24 atoms: 6 carbon, 12 hydrogen, 6 oxygen.
What is the IUPAC name of Fructose?
The PubChem-computed IUPAC name is (3S,4R,5R)-2-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-2,3,4,5-tetrol.
How do I make a model of Fructose?
Rotate the interactive model above to see how its 24 atoms connect, then copy it with a ball-and-stick kit: use the CPK colours shown (carbon grey or black, hydrogen white, oxygen red, nitrogen blue). For a school project, foam balls and toothpicks work well.