DODECANOIC ACID Meaning and
Definition
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Dodecanoic acid, also known as lauric acid, is a saturated fatty acid belonging to the medium-chain fatty acid group. It is classified as a monocarboxylic acid due to its single carboxyl group (-COOH) attached to a twelve-carbon atom chain. The chemical formula of dodecanoic acid is CH3(CH2)10COOH.
Dodecanoic acid is a white solid compound with a melting point of around 44 degrees Celsius and a boiling point of approximately 296 degrees Celsius. It is insoluble in water but freely soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol, ether, and benzene. It possesses a characteristic odor similar to wax or coconut oil.
This fatty acid commonly occurs in nature as an ester in various vegetable oils, such as coconut oil and palm kernel oil. It is also present in breast milk. Additionally, dodecanoic acid can be synthesized through the hydrogenation of unsaturated fats or obtained as a byproduct during the production of oleic acid.
Dodecanoic acid has various applications across different industries. It is often used in the production of soaps, detergents, and personal care products due to its surfactant and cleansing properties. It is also utilized as a raw material in the manufacturing of lubricants, cutting oils, and waxes. In the food industry, dodecanoic acid acts as a food additive and flavoring agent. Moreover, it has demonstrated antimicrobial and antiviral properties, making it a potential ingredient in pharmaceutical and medical applications.
In summary, dodecanoic acid is a saturated fatty acid with a twelve-carbon atom chain that has versatile applications in numerous sectors ranging from cosmetics to food and pharmaceutical industries.
Common Misspellings for DODECANOIC ACID
- sodecanoic acid
- xodecanoic acid
- codecanoic acid
- fodecanoic acid
- rodecanoic acid
- eodecanoic acid
- didecanoic acid
- dkdecanoic acid
- dldecanoic acid
- dpdecanoic acid
- d0decanoic acid
- d9decanoic acid
- dosecanoic acid
- doxecanoic acid
- docecanoic acid
- dofecanoic acid
- dorecanoic acid
- doeecanoic acid
- dodwcanoic acid
Etymology of DODECANOIC ACID
The word "dodecanoic acid" is derived from its chemical composition and structure.
The term "dodecanoic" comes from the Greek word "dodeka", meaning "twelve", and the suffix "-anoic", which indicates that it is a carboxylic acid. This indicates that dodecanoic acid is an acid with a 12-carbon chain.
When molecules are named using the IUPAC nomenclature system, the number of carbon atoms in the longest continuous chain is used as a base name. In this case, the base name is "dodecane" since there are 12 carbon atoms in the chain. The "-oic acid" suffix is then added to indicate that it is a carboxylic acid. So, "dodecanoic acid" refers to a carboxylic acid with a 12-carbon chain.
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