Galactitol (dulcitol) is a sugar alcohol, the reduction product of galactose.^[1] It has a slightly sweet taste.^[1] In people with galactokinase deficiency, a form of galactosemia, excess dulcitol forms in the lens of the eye leading to cataracts.^[2]

Quick Facts Names, Identifiers ...

Galactitol

Names
IUPAC name D-Galactitol
Systematic IUPAC name (2R,3S,4R,5S)-hexane-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexol
Other names Dulcitol
Identifiers
CAS Number	608-66-2 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:16813 Y
ChEMBL	ChEMBL1773904 N
ChemSpider	11357 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.009.242
PubChem CID	11850
UNII	113ZQ1Y7DD Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID1046051
InChI InChI=1S/C6H14O6/c7-1-3(9)5(11)6(12)4(10)2-8/h3-12H,1-2H2/t3-,4+,5+,6- Y Key: FBPFZTCFMRRESA-GUCUJZIJSA-N Y InChI=1/C6H14O6/c7-1-3(9)5(11)6(12)4(10)2-8/h3-12H,1-2H2/t3-,4+,5+,6- Key: FBPFZTCFMRRESA-GUCUJZIJBM
SMILES O[C@H]([C@@H](O)CO)[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)CO
Properties
Chemical formula	C6H14O6
Molar mass	182.172 g/mol
Magnetic susceptibility (χ)	-112.40·10−6 cm3/mol
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

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Galactitol is produced from galactose in a reaction catalyzed by aldose reductase.

The other common galactose metabolism defect is a defect in galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, an autosomal recessive disorder, which also causes a buildup of galactitol as a result of increased concentrations of galactose-1-phosphate and galactose. This disorder leads to cataracts caused by galactitol buildup.