Unsaturated fatty acids have lower melting points than saturated fatty acids of the same length. For example, the melting point of stearic acid is 69.6°C, whereas that of oleic acid (which contains one cis double bond) is 13.4°C. The melting points of polyunsaturated fatty acids of the C18 series are even lower.
Moreover, what temperature does lauric acid freeze?
The freezing point of lauric acid is 44 °C, based on the plateau observed at this temperature on the graph. 6. Freezing point depression: 44 °C - 42 °C = 2 °C. exists as neither a liquid nor a solid.
What is the melting point of stearic acid?
Stearic acid
Names | |
---|---|
Appearance | White solid |
Odor | Pungent, oily |
Density | 0.9408 g/cm3 (20 °C) 0.847 g/cm3 (70 °C) |
Melting point | 69.3 °C (156.7 °F; 342.4 K) |
Why do long chain fatty acids have higher melting points?
Long chain fatty acids posses more carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are bonded together thereby resulting more bonds. Melting is as a result of breaking these bonds. The longer the carbon chains the higher the molecular weight of t6he fatty acids hence more energy that comes from a higher temperature.