The soaps contain salts of higher fatty acids like

Options

A. Stearic acid
B. oxalic acid
C. Palmitic acid
D. Oleic acid

Answer

To answer the question "The soaps contain salts of higher fatty acids like," we need to identify which of the given options are higher fatty acids. Let's analyze each option step by step.

### Step 1: Understanding Fatty Acids
Fatty acids are carboxylic acids with long aliphatic chains. They can be either saturated (no double bonds) or unsaturated (one or more double bonds). Higher fatty acids typically have long carbon chains, usually containing more than 12 carbon atoms.

### Step 2: Analyzing the Options
We have four options to consider:

1. **Stearic Acid (C18H36O2)**:
- Structure: CH3(CH2)16COOH
- This is a saturated fatty acid with a long carbon chain (18 carbons).
- Conclusion: Stearic acid is a higher fatty acid.

2. **Oxalic Acid (C2H2O4)**:
- Structure: HOOC-COOH
- This is a dicarboxylic acid with only 2 carbon atoms and no long aliphatic chain.
- Conclusion: Oxalic acid is not a fatty acid.

3. **Palmitic Acid (C16H32O2)**:
- Structure: CH3(CH2)14COOH
- This is a saturated fatty acid with a long carbon chain (16 carbons).
- Conclusion: Palmitic acid is a higher fatty acid.

4. **Oleic Acid (C18H34O2)**:
- Structure: CH3(CH2)7CH=CH(CH2)7COOH
- This is an unsaturated fatty acid with a long carbon chain (18 carbons).
- Conclusion: Oleic acid is a higher fatty acid.

### Step 3: Final Conclusion
From the analysis:
- Stearic acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acid are higher fatty acids.
- Oxalic acid does not qualify as a higher fatty acid.

### Answer
The soaps contain salts of higher fatty acids like **stearic acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acid**.

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