Strong Oxidation with Nitric Acid ($$\text{HNO}_3$$)

$$\text{HOCH}_2(\text{CHOH})_4\text{CHO} + 3[\text{O}] \xrightarrow{\text{Conc. HNO}_3, \, \Delta} \text{HOOC}(\text{CHOH})_4\text{COOH} + 2\text{H}_2\text{O}$$

$$\text{Glucose} \xrightarrow{\text{Conc. HNO}_3} \text{Saccharic Acid / Glucaric Acid}$$

Concept: Concentrated nitric acid ($$\text{HNO}_3$$) acts as a strong oxidizing agent that simultaneously oxidizes both terminal ends of the glucose molecule: the aldehyde group ($$\text{--CHO}$$) at $$\text{C-1}$$ and the primary alcohol group ($$\text{--CH}_2\text{OH}$$) at $$\text{C-6}$$. Both functional groups are converted into carboxylic acid groups ($$\text{--COOH}$$), yielding a dicarboxylic acid known as saccharic acid (or glucaric acid).