All of the fatty acids below contain eighteen carbons and range from saturated to three double bonds.Which has the highest melting point?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Saturated fatty acids have the highest melting point because they can pack tightly together in a solid state, thus requiring more energy to break the bonds and melt. As the degree of unsaturation increases (from one to three double bonds in the given options), the melting point decreases due to the presence of kinks or bends in the fatty acid chain, making it difficult for the molecules to pack tightly in a solid state. Therefore, stearic acid (A) has the highest melting point compared to the other given options.

All of the Fatty Acids Below Contain Eighteen Carbons and Range