The main fatty acid component of the triacylglycerols in coconut oil is lauric acid, CH3(CH2)10COOH. Explain why coconut oil is a liquid at room temperature even though it contains a large fraction of this saturated fatty acid.

Organic Chemistry
8th Edition
ISBN:9781305580350
Author:William H. Brown, Brent L. Iverson, Eric Anslyn, Christopher S. Foote
Publisher:William H. Brown, Brent L. Iverson, Eric Anslyn, Christopher S. Foote
Chapter26: Lipids
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 26.7P
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The main fatty acid component of the triacylglycerols in coconut oil is lauric acid, CH3(CH2)10COOH. Explain why coconut oil is a liquid at room temperature even though it contains a large fraction of this saturated fatty acid.

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