A diose is a monosaccharide containing two carbon atoms. Because the general chemical formula of an unmodified monosaccharide is (C÷H<sub>2</sub>O)<sub>n</sub>, where n is three or greater, it does not meet the formal definition of a monosaccharide. However, since it does fit the formula (C÷H<sub>2</sub>O)<sub>n</sub>, it is sometimes thought of as the most basic sugar.
There is only one possible diose, glycolaldehyde (2-hydroxyethanal), which is an aldodiose (a ketodiose is not possible since there are only two carbons).