Structure of lactitol (4-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-d-glucitol) monohydrate: an artificial sweetener

C12H24O11.H2O, Mr = 362.4, orthorhombic, P2(1)2(1)2(1), a = 7.808 (2), b = 12.685 (2), c = 15.931 (3) A, V = 1577.9 (6) A3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.525 Mg m-3, lambda(Mo K alpha) = 0.71073 A, mu = 0.13 mm-1, F(000) = 776, T = 295 K, R = 0.031 for 1781 unique reflections with I greater than 2.5 omega (I). The galactopyranosyl ring has the 4C1 chair conformation and the conformation of the bent glucitol C-atom chain is MAA. The torsion angles characterizing the conformation of the glycosidic linkage are -86.3 (2) degrees [O(5)--C(1)--O(1)--C(14)] and 116.8 (2) degrees [C(1)--O(1)--C(14)--C(13)]. All hydroxyl groups act as donors in hydrogen bonds; three bonds are intramolecular. With the exception of O(1) of the glycosidic link which is not an acceptor and O(6) of the glucitol residue which is a double acceptor, all O atoms accept one hydrogen bond. The water molecule donates two and accepts one hydrogen bond.