Q. 3-3-26E-c - Organic Chemistry (Mcmurry)

Question

Draw the structures of the following molecules:

(c) Glycerol, ${\mathbf{C}}_{\mathbf{3}}{\mathbf{H}}_{\mathbf{8}}{\mathbf{O}}_{\mathbf{3}}$, a substance isolated from fat and used in cosmetics;

it has an -OH group on each carbon.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

(c) 

Glycerol

Glycerols come under the category of polyol compound. It is a viscous liquid and is non-toxic. It is employed for various purposes. It is employed as a sweetener and for pharmaceutical purposes.

Structure of glycerol

The structure of glycerol can be identified with the help of degree if unsaturation. The degree of unsaturation of glycerol can be found as:

$$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{Degree} \mathrm{of} \mathrm{unsaturation} = \frac{2\mathrm{C}+2+\mathrm{N}-\mathrm{H}-\mathrm{X}}{2} \\ = \frac{2\times 3+2+0-8-0}{2} \\ = \frac{6+2-8}{2} \\ =0 \end{gathered}$$

The compound has zero degrees of unsaturation. Hence it will not have rings or double bonds. The structure of glycerol can be given as shown below.

                     Structure of glycerol