Which of the following fatty acids does NOT form soap?
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A.
Palmitic acid
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B.
Butyric acid
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C.
Stearic acid
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D.
Oleic acid
Correct Answer:
B. Butyric acid
Explanation:
Butyric acid does not form soap because its hydrocarbon chain is too short. Soaps are typically defined as the sodium or potassium salts of long-chain fatty acids, generally containing 12 to 18 carbon atoms. While palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids have the long, non-polar tails necessary to create the hydrophobic effect required for cleansing, butyric acid only has 4 carbons. Fatty acids with 10 or fewer carbons are generally avoided in soap production because they can be skin irritants and often possess unpleasant odors.
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