Write an equation for the hydrogenation of glyceryl trilinol

Write an equation for the hydrogenation of glyceryl trilinolenate, a fat formed from glycerol and three linolenic acid molecules. Please write the full equestion out.

Solution

The moelcular formula of linolenic acid = C₁₈H₃₂O₂

The molecular formula of Glycerol = C₃H₈O₃

They will react in 3:1 molar ratio.

three moles of linolenic acid will react with one mole of glycerol to form one mole of triglyceride

3C₁₈H₃₂O₂   +  C₃H₈O₃   ---> C₅₇H₉₂O₆

The structure shows that there are three double bond in each linolenic acid molecule, so in triglyceride there will be nine double bonds. the molecule will undergo hydrogenation with 9moles of H2 molecule

C₅₇H₉₂O₆ + 9H₂ --> C₅₇H₁₁₀O_{6 , this will be the overall equation for hydrogenation of triglyceride}