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Glucose molecule model (C6H12O6)
Glucose is the main energy sugar of living cells. In solution it exists mostly as a six-membered pyranose ring in the chair conformation, with almost all OH groups equatorial. That makes it one of the most stable sugars.
Drag to rotate · pinch or scroll to zoom. 3D coordinates: PubChem conformer (CID 5793).
Glucose at a glance
| Formula | C6H12O6 |
|---|---|
| Molar mass | 180.16 g/mol |
| IUPAC name | (3R,4S,5S,6R)-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-2,3,4,5-tetrol |
| Atoms / bonds | 24 / 24 |
| H-bond donors / acceptors | 5 / 6 |
| XLogP3 | -2.6 |
| SMILES | C([C@@H]1[C@H]([C@@H]([C@H](C(O1)O)O)O)O)O |
| PubChem CID | 5793 |
What the 3D model of Glucose 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 -2.6 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 C (×5) and C6 | Tetrahedral, sp³; ring in chair conformation | ≈ 109.5° |
| ring O | Bent, sp³ | C–O–C ≈ 113° |
Is Glucose polar?
Very polar: five OH groups make glucose highly water-soluble (about 900 g/L at 25 °C).
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 glucose
- Primary fuel for cellular respiration (glycolysis)
- Building block of starch, glycogen and cellulose
- IV fluids and food/energy products (dextrose)
Interesting facts
- In water, D-glucose is about 64% β-pyranose, 36% α-pyranose and under 1% open-chain aldehyde.
- β-D-glucose is the only common aldohexose with every substituent equatorial in the chair.
- Aerobic respiration: C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O.
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Open MolDraw editorFrequently asked questions
What shape is a glucose molecule?
A six-membered ring (five carbons and one oxygen) in a puckered chair conformation, with the OH groups pointing outward (equatorial).
What is the difference between α- and β-glucose?
The orientation of the OH on carbon 1 (the anomeric carbon): axial (down) in α and equatorial (up) in β.
What is the chemical formula and molar mass of glucose?
Glucose is C6H12O6 with a molar mass of 180.16 g/mol (PubChem CID 5793). It contains 24 atoms: 6 carbon, 12 hydrogen, 6 oxygen.
What is the IUPAC name of Glucose?
The PubChem-computed IUPAC name is (3R,4S,5S,6R)-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-2,3,4,5-tetrol.
How do I make a model of Glucose?
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.