Open Question
Draw the structure of glycerol myristate, a fat made from glycerol and three myristic acid molecules (see Table 23.3).
Ch.23 - Organic and Biological Chemistry
Chapter 23, Problem 94
Jojoba wax, used in candles and cosmetics, is partially composed of the ester of stearic acid and a straight-chain C22 alcohol. Draw the structure of this ester.
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the components involved in the ester formation. An ester is formed from the reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol. In this case, the carboxylic acid is stearic acid, and the alcohol is a straight-chain C22 alcohol.
Step 2: Write the structure of stearic acid. Stearic acid is a saturated fatty acid with the chemical formula C18H36O2. Its structure consists of a long hydrocarbon chain (17 CH2 groups) ending with a carboxylic acid group (COOH).
Step 3: Write the structure of the straight-chain C22 alcohol. This alcohol has 22 carbon atoms in a straight chain, with a hydroxyl group (OH) at one end. Its general formula is C22H45OH.
Step 4: Form the ester linkage. In an esterification reaction, the hydroxyl group (OH) from the carboxylic acid and the hydrogen (H) from the alcohol's hydroxyl group are removed to form water (H2O), and the remaining oxygen from the alcohol forms a bond with the carbonyl carbon of the acid, creating an ester linkage (COO).
Step 5: Draw the complete structure of the ester. Combine the remaining parts of stearic acid and the C22 alcohol through the ester linkage. The resulting structure will have the long hydrocarbon chain of the alcohol connected to the carbonyl carbon of the stearic acid, forming the ester bond (RCOOR').
Related Practice
Open Question
Show the structure of glyceryl trioleate, a fat molecule composed of glycerol and three oleic acid units.
Open Question
There are two isomeric fat molecules whose components are glycerol, one palmitic acid, and two stearic acids (see Table 23.3). Draw the structures of both, and explain how they differ.
Open Question
One of the constituents of the carnauba wax used in floor and furniture polish is an ester of a C32 straight-chain alcohol with a C20 straight-chain carboxylic acid. Draw the structure of this ester.
Open Question
What amino acids do the following abbreviations stand for? (a) Ser (b) Thr (c) Pro (d) Phe (e) Cys
Open Question
Name and draw the structures of amino acids that fit the following descriptions. (a) Contains an isopropyl group (b) Contains an alcohol group (c) Contains a thiol group (d) Contains an aromatic ring