Diose

A diose is a monosaccharide containing two carbon atoms. Because the general chemical formula of an unmodified monosaccharide is (C·H2O)n, where n is three or greater, it does not meet the formal definition of a monosaccharide. However, since it does fit the formula (C·H2O)n, it is sometimes thought of as the most basic sugar. There is only one possible diose, glycolaldehyde (2-Hydroxyethanal), which is an aldodiose (a ketodiose is not possible since there are only two carbons).

The structure of the only possible aldodiose is

CH=O |        CH2OH Glycolaldehyde