ScienceJuly 13, 2026
dihydroxyacetone
/daɪˌhaɪdroʊksiˈæsɪtoʊn/
Definition
A simple, three-carbon sugar molecule that serves as a common precursor in biochemical pathways.
Etymology
The name is a chemical construct derived from 'di-' (two) and 'hydroxy' (referring to the hydroxyl group) combined with 'acetone', describing the molecule's specific structural composition of two hydroxyl groups attached to an acetone backbone.
In the news
The article mentions dihydroxyacetone as a three-carbon sugar that researchers expected to find in the galactic center, though it was notably absent compared to the more abundant four-carbon erythrulose.
The Center of Our Galaxy Is More Like a Raspberry Donut Than We Realized
Read the full article ↗ScienceAlert