Chapter 30, Problem 30.2P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The comparison between the melting points of eicosapentaenoic acid $\left[{\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}{\text{CH}}_{\text{2}}{\left(\text{CH}={\text{CHCH}}_{\text{2}}\right)}_5{\left({\text{CH}}_{\text{2}}\right)}_2\text{COOH}\right]$ with the given fatty acids is to be stated.

Concept introduction: The degree of unsaturation refers to the number of double bonds. The melting point of fatty acids decreases with increase in degree of unsaturation, and increases with increase in number of carbon atoms.