- fat molecule contains 3 hydrocarbon chains that can be saturated or unsaturated.
- when 2 or more carbon-carbon double bonds exist in same chain → we call it polysaturated chain.
Definition
polyunsaturated fats contain hydrocarbon chains with 2 or more carbon-carbon double bonds in each chain #ChemistryDefinitions
saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbon chains of fat molecules → give rise to different properties.
- the greater the level of saturation → the higher the melting point of the substance.
figure shows packing of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbon chains
- saturated fats have hydrocarbon chains that stack well with one another.
- as the carbon-carbon bonds cause a bend a structure, unsaturated hydrocarbon chains do not stack as well.
- this bend causes the hydrocarbon chains to not come as close together, hence intermolecular forces of attraction are not as strong.
fats mainly contain saturated hydrocarbons and are solid at r.t.p.
on other hand, oils contain unsaturated hydrocarbons and are liquids at r.t.p