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Waxes definitions

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  • Fatty Acid
    Long hydrocarbon chain with a carboxyl group, forms the backbone of many lipids including waxes.
  • Long Chain Alcohol
    Hydrocarbon molecule with an alcohol group, reacts with fatty acids to form wax esters.
  • Ester Linkage
    Bond formed between a fatty acid and an alcohol, central to wax structure.
  • Hydrocarbon Chain
    Nonpolar sequence of carbon and hydrogen atoms, imparts hydrophobicity to waxes.
  • Palmitic Acid
    Specific fatty acid often used in wax formation, notably in beeswax.
  • Triacontinol
    Long chain alcohol involved in the synthesis of certain waxes like beeswax.
  • Triacontinoypalmitate
    Major component of beeswax, formed by ester linking palmitic acid and triacontinol.
  • Beeswax
    Natural wax produced by bees, mainly composed of triacontinoypalmitate.
  • Dehydration Synthesis
    Chemical reaction joining fatty acid and alcohol, releasing water and forming wax.
  • Nonpolar
    Characteristic of molecules lacking charge separation, resulting in water insolubility.
  • Hydrophobic
    Property causing repulsion of water, common in waxes due to their hydrocarbon chains.
  • Melting Point
    Temperature at which a solid becomes liquid; waxes typically have high values.
  • Protective Coat
    Layer provided by waxes to shield surfaces from environmental factors.
  • Waterproofing
    Function of waxes preventing water penetration or loss, crucial for plants and products.
  • Lipid
    Class of biomolecules including waxes, characterized by hydrophobicity and energy storage.