Galactitol

Galactitol
IUPAC name (2R,3S,4R,5S)-hexane-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexol
Other names D-Galactitol; Dulcitol
Identifiers
CAS number	608-66-2 Y
PubChem	11850
ChemSpider	11357 Y
ChEBI	CHEBI:16813 Y
Jmol-3D images	Image 1
SMILES O[C@H]([C@@H](O)CO)[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)CO
InChI InChI=1S/C6H14O6/c7-1-3(9)5(11)6(12)4(10)2-8/h3-12H,1-2H2/t3-,4+,5+,6- Y Key: FBPFZTCFMRRESA-GUCUJZIJSA-N Y InChI=1/C6H14O6/c7-1-3(9)5(11)6(12)4(10)2-8/h3-12H,1-2H2/t3-,4+,5+,6- Key: FBPFZTCFMRRESA-GUCUJZIJBM
Properties
Molecular formula	C6H14O6
Molar mass	182.17 g mol−1
Y (verify) (what is: Y/N?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Galactitol (dulcitol) is a sugar alcohol, the reduction product of galactose. In people with galactokinase deficiency, a form of galactosemia, excess dulcitol forms in the lens of the eye leading to cataracts.

Galactitol is produced from galactose in a reaction catalyzed by aldose reductase. Galactose itself comes from the metabolism of the disaccharide lactose into glucose and galactose.

The other common galactose metabolism defect is a defect in galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, an autosomal recessive disorder, which also causes a buildup of galactitol as a result of increased concentrations of galactose-1-phosphate and galactose. The toxicity associated with galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase deficiency is associated with symptoms of hepatosplenomegaly and mental retardation in addition to the cataracts caused by galactitol buildup.