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Small capital D or L before a name, from a sugar's Fischer projection.
Also known as: D and L configuration, Fischer-Rosanoff convention, Small capital D and L
D and L classify a sugar or amino acid by comparison with glyceraldehyde, using the position of one hydroxyl in a Fischer projection. They are not the same as (+) and (−), which describe how the substance actually rotates light — a D sugar can rotate either way.
Classify a stereoisomer by reference to D- or L-glyceraldehyde, determined from the Fischer projection.
Contexts: Laboratory
Are unrelated to the direction of optical rotation, which is written (+) and (−); a D compound may rotate light either way.
Contexts: Laboratory
Are largely superseded by the R/S system for general use but persist for sugars and amino acids, where they remain the standard.
Contexts: Laboratory
A small capital letter D or L in roman type, set before a compound's name and followed by a hyphen.