xylose

Xylose ( , , "wood") is a common monosaccharide, i.e. a simple sugar. Xylose is classified as aldopentose type, which means that it contains five carbon atoms and includes an aldehyde functional group, at least in its open-chain form. It is abundant in biomass, and is one of the most abundant sugars in nature. It is a white, water-soluble solid.

==Structure== The acyclic form of xylose has chemical formula . Cyclic hemiacetal isomers are more prevalent in solution. These cyclic isomers include the pyranoses feature six-membered rings, and the furanoses, which feature five-membered rings (with a pendant group). Each of these rings is subject to further isomerism, depending on the relative orientation of the anomeric hydroxy group.