3.2 Fatty Acids 161Table 3.6.
Saturated fatty acids
AbbreviatedStructureSystematicCommon name Meltingdesignationnamepoint◦(C)
A. Even numbered straight chain fatty acids4:0CH
,(CH 3
) 2
COOH Butanoic acid 2Butyric acid−
7
.^9
6:0
CH
(CH 3
) 2
COOH 4
Hexanoic acidCaproic acid−
3
.^9
8:0
CH
(CH 3
) 2
COOH 6
Octanoic acidCaprylic acid16
.^3
10:0
CH
(CH 3
) 2
COOH 8
Decanoic acidCapric acid31
.^3
12:0
CH
(CH 3
) 2
10COOH Dodecanoic acidLauric acid44
.^0
14:0
CH
(CH 3
) 2
12COOH Tetradecanoic acidMyristic acid54
.^4
16:0
CH
(CH 3
) 2
14COOH Hexadecanoic acidPalmitic acid62
.^9
18:0
CH
(CH 3
) 2
16COOH Octadecanoic acidStearic acid69
.^6
20:0
CH
(CH 3
) 2
18COOH Eicosanoic acidArachidic acid75
.^4
22:0
CH
(CH 3
) 2
20COOH Docosanoic acidBehenic acid80
.^0
24:0
CH
(CH 3
) 2
22COOH Tetracosanoic acidLignoceric acid84
.^2
26:0
CH
(CH 3
) 2
24COOH Hexacosanoic acidCerotic acid87
.^7
B. Odd numbered straight chain fatty acids5:0CH
(CH 3
) 2
COOH 3
Pentanoic acidValeric acid−
34
.^5
7:0
CH
(CH 3
) 2
COOH 5
Heptanoic acidEnanthic acid−
7
.^5
9:0
CH
(CH 3
) 2
COOH 7
Nonanoic acidPelargonic acid12
.^4
15:0
CH
(CH 3
) 2
13COOH Pentadecanoic acid52
.^1
17:0
CH
(CH 3
) 2
15COOH Heptadecanoic acidMargaric acid61
.^3
C. Branched chain fatty acids2,6,10,14-Tetra-methyl-penta-decanoic acid Pristanic acid3,7,11,15-Tetra-methyl-hexa-decanoic acid Phytanic acid