Which physical property of triacylglycerols rich in unsaturated fatty acids is responsible for the lower melting point than the corresponding saturated compounds?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The physical property responsible for the lower melting point of triacylglycerols rich in unsaturated fatty acids is the cis-carbon-carbon double bond steric interactions. This is because the presence of a cis-double bond creates a "kink" in the fatty acid chain, preventing the molecules from being tightly packed together. This causes a weaker intermolecular force compared to the corresponding saturated compounds, which lack the kink and have molecules that can be tightly packed together. This results in a lower melting point for unsaturated triacylglycerols compared to saturated compounds.

Which Physical Property of Triacylglycerols Rich in Unsaturated Fatty Acids