C6H12O6
Glucose (C6H12O6)
Also known as: dextrose, blood sugar, grape sugar
Glucose is the fuel molecule of life. Plants build it from CO₂ and water using sunlight; cells burn it back down through respiration to power everything you do. Its molecular formula C₆H₁₂O₆ is shared by other sugars (fructose, galactose) — same atoms, different arrangement, a perfect illustration of isomers.
Molar mass breakdown
180.156 g/mol| Element | Atoms | Mass (g/mol) | % by mass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxygen (O) | 6 | 95.994 | 53.28% |
| Carbon (C) | 6 | 72.066 | 40% |
| Hydrogen (H) | 12 | 12.096 | 6.714% |
What glucose is used for
- Primary energy source in cellular respiration
- Medical IV drips (dextrose solutions)
- Food industry sweetener and fermentation feedstock
- Starting point of fermentation to ethanol
Key facts
- Molar mass ≈ 180.16 g/mol.
- Respiration: C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + energy.
- Its empirical formula is CH₂O — the molecular formula is exactly six times it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the molar mass of glucose?
About 180.16 g/mol: 6 × 12.011 + 12 × 1.008 + 6 × 15.999.
What is glucose's empirical formula?
CH₂O — divide all subscripts of C₆H₁₂O₆ by six to get the simplest ratio.
Is glucose the same as table sugar?
No. Table sugar is sucrose (C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁), a glucose unit joined to a fructose unit.