Properties of Some Triglycerides

The formulas of three triglycerides, A, B & C, are shown below, with their fatty acid components specified by name. The formulas of the fatty acid components and two useful analytical procedures are described below.
Arachidic Acid   CH3(CH2)18CO2H
Stearic Acid   CH3(CH2)16CO2H
Lauric Acid   CH3(CH2)10CO2H
Palmitoleic Acid   CH3(CH2)5CH=CH(CH2)7CO2H
Oleic Acid   CH3(CH2)7CH=CH(CH2)7CO2H
Linoleic Acid   CH3(CH2)4CH=CHCH2CH=CH(CH2)7CO2H
 
Analytical Methods

Saponification Value: A measure of the molar concentration of ester functions. The mg of KOH required to completely saponify (hydrolyze) one gram of triglyceride. (Also called the "saponification number".)

Iodine Value: A measure of unsaturation. The grams of iodine consumed by 100 grams of triglyceride. In practice ICl is used, since iodine does not add completely to double bonds. However, the calculation gives results equivalent to iodine addition. (Also called the "iodine number".)

1. Which has the largest saponification value? ...

2. Which has the largest iodine value? ............

3. Which if any is chiral? (enter "X" for none) ...

Enter letter(s) corresponding to your selections, in each answer box.
Do not enter superfluous characters, since they will be counted as incorrect answers.

 
     


This script written by William Reusch, Dept. of Chemistry, Michigan State University. Please send comments and corrections to whreusch@pilot.msu.edu.