Question

Draw the structure of a lecithin containing oleic acid and palmitic acid as the fatty acid side chains.

Short answer

Answer

Step-by-step solution

Lecithin

Lecithin comes under the category of phospholipids. It comprises of glycerol, two fatty acids, choline, and a phosphate group. They also possess lubricant and emulsification properties, and are employed as surfactants.

Fatty acid

Fatty acids form a category of lipids. They constitute carboxylic acids comprising long aliphatic tails. These are categorized into unsaturated and saturated fatty acids.

Structure of lecithin comprising oleic acid and palmitic acid as the fatty acid side chains

Lecithin is a type of phosphoacylglycerol. Two of the hydroxyl groups of glycerol are esterified with fatty acids. The third OH group is a portion of the phosphodiester connected to other low molecular weight alcohol.

The structures can be given as:

Structure of lecithin containing oleic acid and palmitic acid as the fatty acid side chains