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|   | |
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name D-Galactitol | |
| Systematic IUPAC name (2R,3S,4R,5S)-hexane-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexol | |
| Other names Dulcitol | |
| Identifiers | |
| 3D model (JSmol) | |
| ChEBI | |
| ChEMBL | |
| ChemSpider | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.009.242 | 
|  PubChem CID | |
| UNII | |
|  CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
| 
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| 
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| Properties | |
| C6H14O6 | |
| Molar mass | 182.172 g/mol | 
| −112.40·10−6 cm3/mol | |
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
Galactitol (dulcitol) is a sugar alcohol, the reduction product of galactose. [1] It has a slightly sweet taste. [1] In people with galactokinase deficiency, a form of galactosemia, excess dulcitol forms in the lens of the eye leading to cataracts. [2]
Galactitol is produced from galactose in a reaction catalyzed by aldose reductase. [3]
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. This disorder leads to cataracts caused by galactitol buildup. [4]
 Media related to  Galactitol  at Wikimedia Commons
  Media related to  Galactitol  at Wikimedia Commons