Explain why the melting points of unsaturated fatty acids are lower than those of saturated fatty acids.

World of Chemistry
7th Edition
ISBN:9780618562763
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl
Chapter21: Biochemistry
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Problem 38A
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Explain why the melting points of unsaturated fatty acids are lower than those of
saturated fatty acids.

Expert Solution
Step 1 Fundamental Step

Melting point of a system depends on how efficiently that system is packed.

More closer the packing is, higher is the melting point.

Saturated Fatty Acids

They consist of saturated C-C bonds and doesn't have any other functional groups than -COOH.

Their system is ordered like polar heads are at one side next to each other while alkyl chains also take composition where they lie next to each other and fit perfectly.

Saturated Fatty Acids

Step 2 Explanation Step

 

Unsaturated fatty acids 

This system also consists a polar COOH head group and non polar tail-alkyl chain.

This alkyl chain consists at least one unsaturated π C,C double bond.

This system is already unstable as alkyl chains are present away from each other.

System is not ordered because of presence of cis double bonds which causes weak intermolecular interactions. With increase in double bond, the intermolecular interactions get weak and melting point is therefore less.

 

Unsaturated fatty acids

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