Which of the following fatty acids has the highest melting point?
A) lauric acid
B) oleic acid
C) linoleic acid
D) linolenic acid

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Lauric acid has a higher melting point than the other fatty acids listed because it is a saturated fatty acid with a longer carbon chain, which results in stronger intermolecular forces and a closer packing of molecules in the solid state. Oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid are unsaturated fatty acids, meaning they have one or more double bonds in their carbon chains, which results in a lower melting point compared to saturated fatty acids.

Which of the Following Fatty Acids Has the Highest Melting