Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry

Aldaric acid: A carbohydrate in which both terminal groups (either alcohols or aldehydes) have been oxidized to carboxylic acids.






D-glucose
An aldohexose

D-gluconic acid
An aldonic acid

D-glucaric acid
An aldaric acid
Oxidizing the aldehyde of D-glucose produces D-gluconic acid (an aldonic acid). Further oxidation of the terminal primary alcohol gives D-glucaric acid (an aldaric acid).