Q. 15.19 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

Draw the condensed structural formula for the ester in beeswax that is formed from myricyl alcohol,${\mathrm{CH}}_3-{\left({\mathrm{CH}}_2\right)}_{29}-\mathrm{OH}$,and palmitic acid.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Step 1: Given data

The ester is beeswax that is formed from myricyl alcohol, ${\mathrm{CH}}_3-{\left({\mathrm{CH}}_2\right)}_{29}-\mathrm{OH}$and palmitic acid.

Step 2: An Introduction

Wax esters (WE) are fatty acid and fatty alcohol esters. Carnauba wax, candelilla wax and beeswax are three commercially important waxes, including wax esters.

Step 3: Determine the ester in beeswax that is formed from myricyl alcohol, CH 3 - CH 2 29 - OH , and palmitic acid.

The given reaction is an esterification in which a carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol in the presence of an acidic catalyst to form an ester.

The given carboxylic acid is palmitic acid which has 16 carbon atoms in an unbranched chain and a carboxyl group on the 1 st carbon.

The given alcohol is myricyl alcohol which has 30 carbon atoms in an unbranched chain and a hydroxy group on the 1st carbon.