Question

Draw the structure of each of the following fatty acids, and give the structure its common name.

(a) $n$ -Dodecanate
(b) $c i s-\Delta^{9}$ -Hexadecenoate
(c) $c i s, c i s-\Delta^{9}, \Delta^{12}$ - Octadecadienoate

Answer 1

Structure 1- dodecanoic acid (lauric acid)

Structure 2- hexadecanoic acid (palmitic acid)

Structure 3- octadecanoic acid (stearatic acid)

Step-by-step explanation:

Fatty acids are carboxylic acids having long aliphatic chain. The chain may be either saturated or unsaturated. There are many naturally occurring fatty acids having unbranched chain of an even number of carbon atoms.

Usually, the common name of the fatty acid is not related to its systematic name. Its systematic name is obtained by IUPAC nomenclature.

The images shown are the skeletal structures of lauric acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid. I have written the names of the acids because the question specifically mentions that the compounds are fatty acids and not their salts.