Diose
# Diose

A diose is a monosaccharide containing two carbon atoms. Because the general chemical formula of an unmodified monosaccharide is $(C·H_2O)_n,$ where n is three or greater, it does not meet the formal definition of a monosaccharide. However, since it does fit the formula $(C·H_2O)_n,$ it is sometimes thought of as the most basic sugar.

There is only one possible diose, glycolaldehyde (2-hydroxyethanal), which is an aldodiose (a ketodiose is not possible since there are only two carbons).

