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Unsaturated Saturated Triglycerides Tend Acids Kink Structure Straight

Front Explain why saturated triglycerides tend to be solid at RTP whereas unsaturated triglycerides tend to be liquid.
Back Melting point of saturated/unsaturated triglycerides
  • Unsaturated acids have one or more double/triple bond which cause a kink in the chain structure - it is not a straight line
  • Saturated acids have single bonds only so their structure is a straight line
  • In packing of fatty acids, saturated can sit much closer together than unsaturated due to unsaturated bonds having a kink
  • Therefore saturated - solids, unsaturated - liquid

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