The conformations of the aldoses in solution, and the compositions of the equilibrium mixtures formed from aldoses after dissolution in water, have been determined by NMR spectroscopy. Calculations based on non-bonded interactions and on the anomeric effect account for the observed conformations, and allow an approximate prediction of' the a:p ratio of pyranoses in equilibrium and of the extent of anhydride formation from sugars in acid solution. In certain circumstances the furanose forms are more stable than the pyranose forms.

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The relative free energies of the aldopyranoses in aqueous solution have been calculated, taking non-bonded interaction energies and the anomeric effect into account. It is shown that the calculated free-energy values correctly predict the predominant conformation of the α- and β-pyranose forms of each aldose. The α- to β-pyranose ratios of the aldoses in aqueous solution, calculated from these values, are in reasonable agreement with those determined experimentally.