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Chemistry

Why the Fischer Projection Clarifies Stereochemistry of Carbohydrates

Quick fact

The Fischer projection was invented by Hermann Emil Fischer in 1891, and it allowed chemists to depict the 3D arrangement of atoms in sugars on a flat piece of paper — the horizontal lines represent bonds coming out of the page, while vertical lines go behind it. This simple convention made it possible to identify and compare sugars without needing physical models.

Why this is interesting

Have you ever seen a sugar molecule drawn as a cross of lines and wondered how that flat drawing represents a 3D shape?