cheriti
May 9, 2009, 10:57 AM
how do I write an equation for the acid hydrolysis of glyceryl trimyristate (trimyristin).
using brutto formulas
Perito
May 9, 2009, 11:19 AM
Unfortunately, I've never heard of a "brutto formula", so I may not be able to help you there -- unless you teach me.
Myrstic acid is
CH_3-(CH_2)_12-RCO_2H
The trimystrin molecule is three of these carboxylic acids with ester linkages to a glycerol group. The ester links will hydrolyze like this:
R-CO_2R^' +H_2O \, \rightleftharpoons \, RCO_2H+R^'OH
to form the original carboxylic acid and an alcohol (glycerol).
So, that's how the hydrolysis works. You'll have to figure out the "brutto formula" part.