Which fatty acid would you expect to be have the lowest melting point?

Chemistry
10th Edition
ISBN:9781305957404
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Chapter22: Organic And Biological Molecules
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 176MP
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**Question 6 of 19**

**Which fatty acid would you expect to have the lowest melting point?**

The question above presents five different fatty acids, labeled A to E, and asks which one would have the lowest melting point. The structures of the fatty acids are as follows:

A) CH₃CH=CH(CH₂)₁₀CH=CHCOOH
B) CH₃(CH₂)₁₆COOH
C) CH₃(CH₂)₁₉COOH
D) CH₃CH=CH(CH₂)₇COOH
E) CH₃(CH₂)₁₄COOH

#### Explanation:

Fatty acids with more double bonds generally have lower melting points. This is because the double bonds create kinks in the fatty acid chains, preventing them from packing closely together and thus reducing the forces holding them in a solid structure at lower temperatures. Additionally, shorter fatty acid chains tend to have lower melting points because there are fewer intermolecular interactions.

Analyzing each option:
- **Option A** has two double bonds in the structure.
- **Option B**, **C**, and **E** are saturated fatty acids (no double bonds). 
- **Option D** has one double bond.

Based on these characteristics, **Option A** is the fatty acid that one would expect to have the lowest melting point due to the presence of two double bonds in its structure.
Transcribed Image Text:**Question 6 of 19** **Which fatty acid would you expect to have the lowest melting point?** The question above presents five different fatty acids, labeled A to E, and asks which one would have the lowest melting point. The structures of the fatty acids are as follows: A) CH₃CH=CH(CH₂)₁₀CH=CHCOOH B) CH₃(CH₂)₁₆COOH C) CH₃(CH₂)₁₉COOH D) CH₃CH=CH(CH₂)₇COOH E) CH₃(CH₂)₁₄COOH #### Explanation: Fatty acids with more double bonds generally have lower melting points. This is because the double bonds create kinks in the fatty acid chains, preventing them from packing closely together and thus reducing the forces holding them in a solid structure at lower temperatures. Additionally, shorter fatty acid chains tend to have lower melting points because there are fewer intermolecular interactions. Analyzing each option: - **Option A** has two double bonds in the structure. - **Option B**, **C**, and **E** are saturated fatty acids (no double bonds). - **Option D** has one double bond. Based on these characteristics, **Option A** is the fatty acid that one would expect to have the lowest melting point due to the presence of two double bonds in its structure.
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