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When an oil is hydrolysed, which of the following molecules is always produced? A COOH | OH COOH B CH3OH | OH CH2OH C C nH 2n+1COOH D C nH 2nCOOH - Scottish Highers Chemistry - Question 9 - 2015
Question 9
When an oil is hydrolysed, which of the following molecules is always produced? A COOH | OH COOH B CH3OH | OH CH2OH C C nH 2n+1COOH D C nH 2nCOOH
Worked Solution & Example Answer:When an oil is hydrolysed, which of the following molecules is always produced? A COOH | OH COOH B CH3OH | OH CH2OH C C nH 2n+1COOH D C nH 2nCOOH - Scottish Highers Chemistry - Question 9 - 2015
Step 1
Which of the following molecules is always produced?
Answer
When an oil undergoes hydrolysis, it reacts with water, resulting in the formation of glycerol and fatty acids. The structure of fatty acids typically contains a carboxylic acid group (–COOH). Inspection of the given options shows that option B (CH₃OH) involves a hydroxymethyl group, however, it is not a fatty acid in the typical structure.
Upon review of the other options:
- Option A has two –COOH groups but might not represent a typical product when oils are hydrolyzed.
- Option C has a general formula for a fatty acid (CnH2n+1COOH).
- Option D is a straight-chain fatty acid also fitting this pattern.
The correct answer that always results from the hydrolysis of fats is the structure of a carboxylic acid, which is found in option C, thus making option B (CH₃OH) the best choice as it is part of the product formed, indicating the presence of glycerol.