Erythrulose

Erythrulose
	D-Erythrulose
	Erythrulose enantiomers in Fischer projection
Names
	IUPAC name D-glycero-Tetrulose
	Systematic IUPAC name (3R)-1,3,4-Trihydroxybutan-2-one
	Other names Glycerotetrulose, erythrulose
Identifiers
CAS Number	496-55-9 ;
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image; Interactive image;
ChEBI	CHEBI:16023 ;
ChemSpider	4573812 ;
ECHA InfoCard	100.129.795
PubChem CID	5460177;
UNII	09058VOU0Z ;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID70862137 ;
	InChI InChI=1S/C4H8O4/c5-1-3(7)4(8)2-6/h3,5-7H,1-2H2/t3-/m1/s1 Key: UQPHVQVXLPRNCX-GSVOUGTGSA-N ; InChI=1/C4H8O4/c5-1-3(7)4(8)2-6/h3,5-7H,1-2H2/t3-/m1/s1 Key: UQPHVQVXLPRNCX-GSVOUGTGBU;
	SMILES OCC([C@H](O)CO)=O; O=C(CO)[C@H](O)CO;
Properties
Chemical formula	C4H8O4
Molar mass	120.104 g·mol−1
Appearance	Syrup
Solubility in water	Soluble
	Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). verify (what is ?) Infobox references

D-Erythrulose (also known as erythrulose) is the organic compound with the formula HOCH₂C(O)CH(OH)CH₂OH (alternative notation as C₄H₈O₄). As a ketone-containing monosaccharide, it is classified as a ketose and tetrose.^[1]^[2]

Erythrulose is a colorless, sweet-tasting, water-soluble solid.^[3] Among the sugars, it is relatively obscure, being described as a "novelty tetrose".^[4]

In 2026, broadband spectral surveys using large Earth-based telescopes detected erythrulose on dust grains in molecular clouds near the center of the Milky Way.^[5]

Synthesis

Erythrulose can be synthesized by enzyme-mediated condensation of glycolaldehyde:^[6]

2 HOCH₂CHO → HOCH₂C(O)CH(OH)CH₂OH

Multiple pathways lead to erythrulose phosphates from glucose as well as splitting of sedoheptulose.^[4]

Its detection in the Milky Way molecular cloud indicates that erythrulose may be synthesized abiotically in the extreme environment of space.^[5]

Occurrence

Erythrulose occurs in many fruits, including melons and red raspberries.^[4]^[7]^[8]

Among some 340 circumstellar molecules discovered in dust and gases of the interstellar medium, erythrulose is the first sugar identified.^[7]^[8] The discovery was made from radio telescope surveys of G+0.693−0.027, a molecular cloud near the center of the Milky Way.^[5] Two radio telescopes in Spain were used: the 40 metre telescope at Yebes and the 30 metre telescope in Granada.^[5]

Identification of erythrulose in interstellar dust of the Milky Way indicates, if not abiotic synthesis, its possible involvement in forming sugar-containing nucleic acids during the origin of life on Earth about four billion years ago.^[5]^[7]^[8]

References

↑ Lindhorst, Thisbe K. (2007). Essentials of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biochemistry (3rd ed.). Wiley-VCH. ISBN 978-3527315284.
↑ "D-Erythrulose". Metabolomics Workbench, University of California-San Diego. 2026. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
↑ "D-Erythrulose". PubChem, US National Library of Medicine. 11 July 2026. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
1 2 3 Huang, Liang-Gang; Xiao, Bo-wen; Wang, Wen-jia; Nian, Lu; Wang, Hong-yan; Yang, Wu-Long; Zhou, Jun-Ping; Zhang, Bo; Liu, Zhi-Qiang; Zheng, Yu-Guo (2023). "Multiplex modification of Yarrowia lipolytica for enhanced erythritol biosynthesis from glycerol through modularized metabolic engineering". Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering. 46 (9): 1351–1363. doi:10.1007/s00449-023-02906-0. PMID 37468580.
1 2 3 4 5 Jiménez-Serra, Izaskun; García de la Concepción, Juan; Cuppen, Herma M.; et al. (2026-07-13). "Detection of a four-carbon sugar in interstellar space". Nature Astronomy: 1–11. doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02905-7. ISSN 2397-3366.
↑ Cheon, Huijin; Kim, Jun-Hong; Kim, Jeong-Sun; Park, Jin-Byung (2024). "Valorization of single-carbon chemicals by using carboligases as key enzymes". Current Opinion in Biotechnology. 85 103047. doi:10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103047. PMID 38128199.
1 2 3 Hunt, Katie (14 July 2026). "Astronomers detect sugar in interstellar space for the first time". CNN. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
1 2 3 Dzombak, Rebecca (2026-07-13). "A Sweet Surprise: Scientists Find Sugar Deep in Our Galaxy". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-07-14.

[1] Lindhorst, Thisbe K. (2007). Essentials of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biochemistry (3rd ed.). Wiley-VCH. ISBN 978-3527315284.

[mw-2] "D-Erythrulose". Metabolomics Workbench, University of California-San Diego. 2026. Retrieved 15 July 2026.

[pubchem-3] "D-Erythrulose". PubChem, US National Library of Medicine. 11 July 2026. Retrieved 15 July 2026.

[Huang-4] 1 2 3 Huang, Liang-Gang; Xiao, Bo-wen; Wang, Wen-jia; Nian, Lu; Wang, Hong-yan; Yang, Wu-Long; Zhou, Jun-Ping; Zhang, Bo; Liu, Zhi-Qiang; Zheng, Yu-Guo (2023). "Multiplex modification of Yarrowia lipolytica for enhanced erythritol biosynthesis from glycerol through modularized metabolic engineering". Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering. 46 (9): 1351–1363. doi:10.1007/s00449-023-02906-0. PMID 37468580.

[serra-5] 1 2 3 4 5 Jiménez-Serra, Izaskun; García de la Concepción, Juan; Cuppen, Herma M.; et al. (2026-07-13). "Detection of a four-carbon sugar in interstellar space". Nature Astronomy: 1–11. doi:10.1038/s41550-026-02905-7. ISSN 2397-3366.

[6] Cheon, Huijin; Kim, Jun-Hong; Kim, Jeong-Sun; Park, Jin-Byung (2024). "Valorization of single-carbon chemicals by using carboligases as key enzymes". Current Opinion in Biotechnology. 85 103047. doi:10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103047. PMID 38128199.

[cnn-7] 1 2 3 Hunt, Katie (14 July 2026). "Astronomers detect sugar in interstellar space for the first time". CNN. Retrieved 15 July 2026.

[nyt-8] 1 2 3 Dzombak, Rebecca (2026-07-13). "A Sweet Surprise: Scientists Find Sugar Deep in Our Galaxy". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-07-14.

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