An aldotetrose is an aldose containing four carbon atoms.
An aldotetrose is a four-carbon aldose sugar with an aldehyde group. The open-chain structure of an aldotetrose, such as D-threose, consists of a straight chain of four carbon atoms, with the first carbon (C1) bearing the aldehyde group (-CHO) and the other three carbons (C2, C3, and C4) each attached to hydroxyl groups (-OH). The general formula for an aldotetrose is C4H8O4, and its specific arrangement of hydroxyl groups determines its stereochemistry and whether it is classified as D or L isomer.
The ring form has 8 enantiomers, the open form 4.