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A reaction involved in the metabolism of sugars is the

Chapter 16, Problem 79SP

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QUESTION:

A reaction involved in the metabolism of sugars is the splitting of fructose-1,6-diphosphate to give glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate. In the living system, this retro-aldol is catalyzed by an enzyme called aldolase; however, it can also be catalyzed by a mild base. Propose a mechanism for the base-catalyzed reaction.

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QUESTION:

A reaction involved in the metabolism of sugars is the splitting of fructose-1,6-diphosphate to give glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate. In the living system, this retro-aldol is catalyzed by an enzyme called aldolase; however, it can also be catalyzed by a mild base. Propose a mechanism for the base-catalyzed reaction.

ANSWER:

Solution:

Here we have to propose a mechanism of the base catalysed reaction  for the formation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate from fructose-1,6-diphosphate.

Retro aldol reaction is the  reverse of an aldol addition, in which a beta-hydroxy ketone fragments to form a carbonyl compound and the enolate of an alpha-acidic carbonyl compound.

Step 1

Preparation  of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate from fructose-1,6-diphosphate :-

In this reaction, fructose-1,6-diphosphate in presence of a base release one molecule of water and forms an intermediate. This intermediate undergoes rearrangement and splitting of the intermediate leads the formation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate along with a resonance stabilized carbanion ion.

(fructose-1,6-diphosphate)          (Intermediate)    (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate)

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