Chemistry MCQ Practice

Olive oil is a mono-unsaturated fat. Which of the following is the chemical formula for olive oil?

 

A)  C₁₄H₂₉COOH

 

B)  C₁₅H₃₁COOH

 

C)  C₁₆H₃₃COOH

 

D)  C₁₇H₃₃COOH

 

 

Answer: D

 

- mono-unsaturated = contains one C=C

 

- for every C=C added to a saturated hydrocarbon, the number of H atoms is reduced by 2 i.e. ethane (C₂H₆)/ ethene (C₂H₄), propane (C₃H₈)/ propene (C₃H₆)

 

- General formula for carboxylic acids: C_nH_2n+1COOH (n = 0,1,2...)

 

- For option D, n = 17 so H should be 35 (2x17+1). The formula shows 2 less H i.e. mono-unsaturated.