Question

An optically active fat, when completely hydrolyzed, yields twice as much stearic acid as palmitic acid. Draw the structure of the fat.

Short answer

Structure of optically active fat is shown below:

Step-by-step solution

hydrolysis of optically active fat

Different fatty acids undergo hydrolysis reaction with hydroxyl group of glycerol results triesters of glycerol. Thus, fats and oils are triesters of glycerol which contain long chain fatty acids. The asymmetric carbon present in fat makes it optically active and it contains palmitic component at C₁, C₂ position Whereas, at C₃ stearic component present.

Structure of optically active fat

The C₂ carbon present in triglyceride is asymmetric and so, it is optically active.