In chemistry, particularly in biochemistry, a fatty acid is a carboxylic acid with an aliphatic chain, which is either saturated or unsaturated. Most naturally occurring fatty acids have an unbranched chain of an even number of carbon atoms, from 4 to 28. Fatty acids are a major component of the lipids in some species such as microalgae but in some other organisms are not found in their standalone form, but instead exist as three main classes of esters: triglycerides, phospholipids, and cholesteryl esters. In any of these forms, fatty acids are both important dietary sources of fuel for animals and important structural components for cells.
Myristic acid is a common saturated fatty acid with the molecular formula CH3(CH2)12COOH. Its salts and esters are commonly referred to as myristates or tetradecanoates. The name of the acyl group derived from myristic acid is myristoyl or tetradecanoyl. The acid is named after the binomial name for nutmeg, from which it was first isolated in 1841 by Lyon Playfair.
A saturated compound is a chemical compound that resists addition reactions, such as hydrogenation, oxidative addition, and binding of a Lewis base. The term is used in many contexts and for many classes of chemical compounds. Overall, saturated compounds are less reactive than unsaturated compounds. Saturation is derived from the Latin word saturare, meaning 'to fill'.
Caproic acid, also known as hexanoic acid, is the carboxylic acid derived from hexane with the chemical formula CH3(CH2)4COOH. It is a colorless oily liquid with an odor that is fatty, cheesy, waxy, and like that of goats or other barnyard animals. It is a fatty acid found naturally in various animal fats and oils, and is one of the chemicals that gives the decomposing fleshy seed coat of the ginkgo its characteristic unpleasant odor. It is also one of the components of vanilla and cheese. The primary use of caproic acid is in the manufacture of its esters for use as artificial flavors, and in the manufacture of hexyl derivatives, such as hexylphenols. Salts and esters of caproic acid are known as caproates or hexanoates. Several progestin medications are caproate esters, such as hydroxyprogesterone caproate and gestonorone caproate.
Caprylic acid, also known under the systematic name octanoic acid or C8 Acid, is a saturated fatty acid, medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA). It has the structural formula H3C−(CH2)6−COOH, and is a colorless oily liquid that is minimally soluble in water with a slightly unpleasant rancid-like smell and taste. Salts and esters of octanoic acid are known as octanoates or caprylates. The name of the related acyl group is octanoyl, capryloyl, or caprylyl. It is a common industrial chemical, which is produced by oxidation of the C8 aldehyde. Its compounds are found naturally in the milk of various mammals and as a minor constituent of coconut oil and palm kernel oil.
Enanthic acid, also called heptanoic acid, is an organic compound composed of a seven-carbon chain terminating in a carboxylic acid functional group. It is a colorless oily liquid with an unpleasant, rancid odor. It contributes to the odor of some rancid oils. It is slightly soluble in water, but very soluble in ethanol and ether. Salts and esters of enanthic acid are called enanthates or heptanoates.
Behenic acid is a carboxylic acid, the saturated fatty acid with formula C21H43COOH. In appearance, it consists of white solid although impure samples appear yellowish.
Geddic acid, or tetratriacontanoic acid, is a 34-carbon-long carboxylic acid and saturated fatty acid. It occurs in cotton, carnauba, candelilla wax, and in ghedda wax, from which its common name is derived.
Undecylic acid is a carboxylic acid with chemical formula CH3(CH2)9COOH. It is often used as an antifungal agent, to treat ringworm and athlete's foot, for example. Like decanoic acid, it has a distinctive, unpleasant odor.
Hexatriacontylic acid, or hexatriacontanoic acid is a 36-carbon-long carboxylic acid and saturated fatty acid.
Ceroplastic acid is a 35-carbon-long saturated aliphatic carboxylic acid.
Hentriacontylic acid is a carboxylic saturated fatty acid.
Pentadecylic acid, also known as pentadecanoic acid or C15:0, is an odd-chain saturated fatty acid. Its molecular formula is CH3(CH2)13CO2H. It is a colorless solid.
Tridecylic acid, or tridecanoic acid, is the organic compound with the formula CH3(CH2)11CO2H. It is a 13-carbon saturated fatty acid. It is a white solid.
Nonadecylic acid, or nonadecanoic acid, is a 19-carbon saturated fatty acid with the chemical formula CH3(CH2)17COOH. It forms salts called nonadecylates. Nonadecylic acid can be found in fats and vegetable oils, although it is rare.
Tricosylic acid, or tricosanoic acid, is a 23-carbon long-chain saturated fatty acid with the chemical formula CH3(CH2)21COOH.
Pentacosylic acid, also known as pentacosanoic acid or hyenic acid, is a 25-carbon long-chain saturated fatty acid with the chemical formula CH3(CH2)23COOH.
Heneicosylic acid, or heneicosanoic acid, is the organic compound with the formula CH3(CH2)19CO2H. It is the straight-chain 21-carbon saturated fatty acid. It is a colorless solid.
Carboceric acid, or heptacosanoic acid or heptacosylic acid, is a 27-carbon long-chain saturated fatty acid with the chemical formula CH
3(CH
2)
25COOH. Its name derives from a combination of the word "Carbon" and κηρός (Keros), meaning beeswax or honeycomb in Ancient Greek, since the acid can be found in the mineral ozokerite, also known as ozocerite.
Nonacosylic acid, or nonacosanoic acid, is a 29-carbon long-chain saturated fatty acid with the chemical formula CH3(CH2)27COOH.