Chapter 15, Problem 46E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The structure of sodium palmitate having formula ${\text{C}}_{16}{\text{H}}_{31}{\text{O}}_2\text{Na}$ is to be drawn.

Concept Introduction:

Soap molecules have polar and non-polar sides, which helps in the dissolution of non-polar molecules to non-polar side and polar molecules to polar sides.

Soap molecules contain an alkyl chain and ${\text{COO}}^{-}{\text{ Na}}^{+}$ where the alkyl chain is non-polar, whereas ${\text{COO}}^{-}{\text{ Na}}^{+}$ is polar in nature.

General formula of soap is ${\text{CH}}_3-{\left({\text{CH}}_2\right)}_n-{\text{COO}}^{-}{\text{ Na}}^{+}$.