Q. 15.20 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

Draw the condensed structural formula for the ester in jojoba wax that is formed from arachidic acid, a 20-carbon saturated fatty acid, and 1-docosanol, ${\mathrm{CH}}_3-{\left({\mathrm{CH}}_2\right)}_{21}-\mathrm{OH}$.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Step 1: Given data

The ester in jojoba wax that is formed from arachidic acid, a 20-carbon saturated fatty acid, and 1-docosanol, ${\mathrm{CH}}_3-{\left({\mathrm{CH}}_2\right)}_{21}-\mathrm{OH}$

Step 2: An Introduction

Jojoba esters are hydrogenated or transesterified products of jojoba oil. Jojoba ester is widely used in cosmetics as a emollient because it is very similar to the natural oil produced by  human skin and has high oxidative stability.

Step 3: Determine the ester in jojoba wax that is formed from arachidic acid, a 20-carbon saturated fatty acid, and 1-docosanol, CH 3 - CH 2 21 - OH .

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 arachidic acid which has $20$carbon atoms in a saturated unbranched chain and a carboxyl group on the l st carbon.

The given alcohol is 1-docosanol which has$22$carbon atoms in an unbranched chain and a hydroxy group on the l st carbon.