Glucose [Chemical formula, Physical, Chemical Properties and Reactions]

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman Shamil | Last updated: February 3, 2024

Chemical formula of glucose is C6H12O6.

Physical Properties of Glucose:

Properties Details
AppearanceWhite crystalline powder or colorless crystals
Boiling PointDecomposes above 300 °C
Density1.54 g/cm³
Melting Point146-150 °C
Molecular FormulaC6H12O6
Molecular Weight180.16 g/mol
OdorOdorless
Optical Rotation+52.7° (α-D-glucose) and -52.7° (β-D-glucose)
SolubilitySoluble in water, slightly soluble in alcohol

Chemical Properties of Glucose:

Properties Details
CombustionGlucose undergoes combustion, releasing carbon dioxide and water
FermentationUnder anaerobic conditions, glucose can be fermented to produce ethanol and carbon dioxide
GlycosylationGlucose can form glycosidic bonds to other molecules, forming disaccharides and polysaccharides
HydrolysisGlucose can be hydrolyzed to yield monosaccharides
Maillard ReactionGlucose participates in the Maillard reaction, browning food products when heated with amino acids
MutarotationGlucose exists in equilibrium between the α and β forms, interconverting via mutarotation
OxidationGlucose can be oxidized by mild oxidizing agents
ReactivityReducing sugar

Reaction of glucose

Alkali Metal

Alkali MetalReaction with GlucoseProduct
Lithium (Li)2 Li + C6H12O6 → 2 LiOH + C6H10O6Lithium hydroxide ,gluconic acid
Sodium (Na)2 Na + C6H12O6 → 2 NaOH + C6H10O6Sodium hydroxide ,gluconic acid
Potassium (K)2 K + C6H12O6 → 2 KOH + C6H10O6Potassium hydroxide ,gluconic acid
Rubidium (Rb)2 Rb + C6H12O6 → 2 RbOH + C6H10O6Rubidium hydroxide ,gluconic acid
Cesium (Cs)2 Cs + C6H12O6 → 2 CsOH + C6H10O6Cesium hydroxide ,gluconic acid

Alkaline Earth Metal

Alkaline Earth MetalReaction with GlucoseProduct
Beryllium (Be)No reactionNo product
Magnesium (Mg)No reactionNo product
Calcium (Ca)Ca + C6H12O6 → Ca(OH)2 + C6H10O6 + HeatCalcium hydroxide ,gluconic acid
Strontium (Sr)Sr + C6H12O6 → Sr(OH)2 + C6H10O6 + HeatStrontium hydroxide ,gluconic acid
Barium (Ba)Ba + C6H12O6 → Ba(OH)2 + C6H10O6 + HeatBarium hydroxide ,gluconic acid

 

Transition Metal

Transition MetalReaction with GlucoseProduct
Copper (Cu)Cu + C6H12O6 → Cu2O + C6H10O6Cuprous oxide ,gluconic acid
Iron (Fe)4 Fe + 3 C6H12O6 → Fe3O4 + 3 C6H10O6 + 2 H2O + HeatIron(II,III) oxide, gluconic acid, ,water
Silver (Ag)4 Ag + C6H12O6 → 4 Ag2O + C6H10O6Silver oxide ,gluconic acid

Post-Transition Metal

 

Post-Transition MetalReaction with GlucoseProduct
Aluminum (Al)4 Al + 3 C6H12O6 + 18 H2O → 4 Al(OH)3 + 3 CH3COOHAluminum hydroxide, acetic acid, ,gluconic acid
Zinc (Zn)Zn + C6H12O6 → Zn(OH)2 + C6H10O6Zinc hydroxide ,gluconic acid
Tin (Sn)Sn + 2 C6H12O6 → SnO2 + 2 C6H10O6 + HeatTin oxide ,gluconic acid
Lead (Pb)Pb + C6H12O6 → PbO + C6H10O6 + HeatLead oxide ,gluconic acid
Bismuth (Bi)No reactionNo product

Non-Metal

 

 

Non-MetalReaction with GlucoseProduct
NitrogenC6H12O6 + 6 HNO3 → 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + 6 NO2 + HeatCarbon dioxide, water, nitrogen dioxide, ,heat
ChlorineC6H12O6 + 6 Cl2 → 6 HCl + 6 CO2 + HeatHydrogen chloride, carbon dioxide, ,heat
OxygenC6H12O6 + 6 O2 → 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + HeatCarbon dioxide, water, ,heat
SulfurC6H12O6 + 6 H2SO4 → 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + 6 SO2 + HeatCarbon dioxide, water, sulfur dioxide, ,heat
PhosphorusC6H12O6 + 6 H3PO4 → 6 CO2 + 18 H2O + HeatCarbon dioxide, water, ,phosphoric acid
IodineC6H12O6 + 6 I2 → 6 HI + 6 CO2 + HeatHydrogen iodide, carbon dioxide, ,heat
FluorineC6H12O6 + 6 F2 → 6 HF + 6 CO2 + HeatHydrogen fluoride, carbon dioxide, ,heat

 

Metalloid

MetalloidReaction with GlucoseProduct
BoronNo reactionNo product
SiliconC6H12O6 + 6 SiO2 → 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + SiC + HeatCarbon dioxide, water, silicon carbide, ,heat
GermaniumC6H12O6 + 6 Ge → 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + GeO2 + HeatCarbon dioxide, water, germanium dioxide, ,heat
ArsenicC6H12O6 + 6 As → 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + As2O3 + HeatCarbon dioxide, water, arsenic trioxide, ,heat
Antimony2 C6H12O6 + 9 Sb2O3 → 12 CO2 + 18 H2O + 9 Sb + HeatCarbon dioxide, water, antimony, ,heat
TelluriumC6H12O6 + 3 Te → 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + TeO2 + HeatCarbon dioxide, water, tellurium dioxide, ,heat