Reference carbon

[chiddler]

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I've flipped through ochem and bio books looking for this but I can't find it. I KNOW i read it, but don't remember where!

Which carbon is the reference carbon?

I thought the reference carbon was the carbon furthest away from the carbonyl that designates D/L configuration. This is incorrect as I compare the following:

all the carbons are opposite in stereodesignation.

So which is it and what is it's significance?

 

[chiddler]

Realized the answer.

I think i'm correct with the reference carbon being the highest numbered chiral carbon. And right really does mean D and left really does mean L of the reference carbon (C5 in fructose)

I'm not sure what confused me before :x