Comparison Table: Ricinoleic Acid vs. Oleic Acid
| Property | Ricinoleic Acid | Oleic Acid |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Structure | Monounsaturated fatty acid with a hydroxyl group (-OH) | Monounsaturated fatty acid without a hydroxyl group |
| Formula | C18H34O3 | C18H34O2 |
| Double Bonds | One double bond (C=C) between the 9th and 10th carbon | One double bond (C=C) between the 9th and 10th carbon |
Spectral Comparison:
When comparing the infrared (IR) spectra of ricinoleic acid and oleic acid, some distinct differences can be observed due to the presence of the hydroxyl group in ricinoleic acid.
- Ricinoleic Acid IR Spectrum:
- The IR spectrum of ricinoleic acid exhibits a broad and strong absorption band around 3400 cm^-1, which corresponds to the O-H stretching vibration of the hydroxyl group.
- A characteristic peak is observed around 1700 cm^-1, representing the C=O stretching vibration in the carboxylic acid group.
- Oleic Acid IR Spectrum:
- In the IR spectrum of oleic acid, the absence of the hydroxyl group results in the absence of the strong O-H stretching band around 3400 cm^-1, which is a distinguishing feature from ricinoleic acid.
- Similarly, the C=O stretching vibration peak is observed around 1700 cm^-1.