Nonadecanoate

Nonadecanoate refers to the salt or ester of nonadecanoic acid. Nonadecanoic acid is a saturated fatty acid with a nineteen-carbon chain. Its chemical formula is CH3(CH2)17COOH. As a saturated fatty acid, it contains no double bonds between carbon atoms in its hydrocarbon chain. Nonadecanoic acid is a relatively uncommon fatty acid found in nature, though it has been identified in certain animal fats and dairy products, as well as some plant oils.

Nonadecanoates can exist as salts, where the acidic proton of nonadecanoic acid is replaced by a cation, such as sodium or potassium, forming compounds like sodium nonadecanoate or potassium nonadecanoate. They can also exist as esters, formed by the reaction of nonadecanoic acid with an alcohol. In these esters, the hydrogen of the carboxyl group is replaced by an alkyl or aryl group. The specific properties of a nonadecanoate salt or ester will depend on the cation or alcohol involved in its formation.

Due to the long hydrocarbon chain, nonadecanoic acid and its derivatives are generally hydrophobic. While not as widely studied or utilized as shorter-chain or more common fatty acids like stearic acid or oleic acid, nonadecanoates may find niche applications in areas such as lubricants, cosmetics, or as intermediates in chemical synthesis. Their presence in biological systems, though minor, suggests a role in lipid metabolism or as structural components in certain organisms.