Compound formation in binary fatty-acid mixtures

Abstract

Long crystal spacings d 1 and short spacings d 2 and d 3 of C 12 –C 14 , C 14 –C 16 and C 16 –C 18 fatty - acid mixtures have been determined using a high resolution X -ray diffractometer in an attempt to elucidate the question of compound formation in these mixtures. Both d 1 and d 3 spacings showed significant changes in relation to the composition of the mixtures whereas d 2 spacings remained practically unchanged. The changes in d 1 and d 3 spacings are interpreted as denoting limited intersolubility of the component fatty acids and partial compound formation. Numerical correlation found between the above changes seems to indicate a shortening of the distance between alternate carbon atoms of the higher melting component in mixtures containing 30 to 70 mol. percent of this component.