Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between

Home / Science & Nature / Science / Chemistry / Organic Chemistry / Difference Between Stearic Acid and Oleic Acid

Difference Between Stearic Acid and Oleic Acid

March 10, 2021 Posted by Madhu

The key difference between stearic acid and oleic acid is that stearic acid is a saturated compound, while oleic acid is an unsaturated compound.

Stearic acid and oleic acid are organic compounds having carbon chains. These are classified as fatty acids according to their chemical structures.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Stearic Acid 
3. What is Oleic Acid
4. Side by Side Comparison – Stearic Acid vs Oleic Acid in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Stearic Acid?

Stearic acid is an organic compound having the chemical formula C17H35CO2H. It is a saturated fatty acid having a carbon chain with 18 carbon atoms. The IUPAC name of this compound is octadecanoic acid. This acid appears as a white waxy substance. The salts and other derivatives of stearic acid are named stearates. This acid has a pungent oily odour.

We can obtain stearic acid through the saponification of fats and oils. There the triglycerides in the fat and oil undergo saponification in the presence of hot water. The resultant compound mixture should be distilled to obtain pure acid. However, the commercially available stearic acid is actually a mixture of stearic acid and palmitic acid.

Key Difference - Stearic Acid vs Oleic Acid

Figure 01: Chemical Structure of Stearic Acid

When concerning the uses of stearic acid, it is important as a surfactant and as a softening agent due to the presence of a polar head group that can get attached to metal cations. It also has a nonpolar chain which makes it possible to dissolve in organic solvents.

What is Oleic Acid?

Oleic acid is the cis isomer of the fatty acid, having the chemical formula C18H34O2. It is the cis isomer of elaidic acid. This substance occurs as an oily liquid that is colourless and odourless. However, commercially available samples of oleic acid can be yellowish. We can classify oleic acid as a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid. The molar mass of this compound is 282.046 g/mol. It has a low melting point (13 Celsius) and a comparatively a high boiling point (360 Celsius). This substance is insoluble in water, and it is soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol.

 

Difference Between Stearic Acid and Oleic Acid

Figure 02: Chemical Structure of Oleic Acid

The name of this substance comes from the Latin word “oleum”, which means oil or oily. Oleic acid is the most common naturally occurring fatty acid. There are salts and esters of oleic acid named collectively as oleates. Often, we can find oleic acid in its ester form rather than in biological systems. This compound commonly occurs in the form of triglyceride. Common compounds, including phospholipids in cell membranes, cholesterol esters, and wax esters, contain oleic acid components.

Oleic acid forms via biosynthesis, which involves the enzymatic activity of stearoyl-CoA9-desaturase acting on stearoyl-CoA. Here, stearic acid is dehydrogenated to form a monounsaturated derivative, oleic acid.

What is the Difference Between Stearic Acid and Oleic Acid?

The key difference between stearic acid and oleic acid is that stearic acid is a saturated compound, while oleic acid is an unsaturated compound. Moreover, stearic acid has no double or triple bonds between carbon atoms in the carbon chain, whereas oleic acid has a double bond at the middle of its nonpolar carbon chain.

The below infographic tabulates more differences between stearic acid and oleic acid.

Difference Between Stearic Acid and Oleic Acid in Tabular Form

Summary – Stearic Acid vs Oleic Acid

In brief, stearic acid and oleic acid are organic acidic compounds. The key difference between stearic acid and oleic acid is that stearic acid is a saturated compound, while oleic acid is an unsaturated compound.

Reference:

1. Elkacmi, Reda, et al. “Extraction of Oleic Acid from Moroccan Olive Mill Wastewater.” BioMed Research International, Hindawi, 10 Jan. 2016, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Stearic acid” (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Oleic-acid-skeletal” (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia

Related posts:

Difference Between Aldehyde and KetoneDifference Between Aldehyde and Ketone Difference Between Malic Acid and Maleic AcidDifference Between Malic Acid and Maleic Acid Difference Between Regioselectivity and StereoselectivityDifference Between Regioselectivity and Stereoselectivity Difference Between Formamide and FormaldehydeDifference Between Formamide and Formaldehyde Difference Between Functional Group and SubstituentDifference Between Functional Group and Substituent

Filed Under: Organic Chemistry

About the Author: Madhu

Madhu is a graduate in Biological Sciences with BSc (Honours) Degree and currently persuing a Masters Degree in Industrial and Environmental Chemistry. With a mind rooted firmly to basic principals of chemistry and passion for ever evolving field of industrial chemistry, she is keenly interested to be a true companion for those who seek knowledge in the subject of chemistry.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request Article

Featured Posts

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

You May Like

Difference Between Vizio Tablet and Motorola Xoom

Difference Between YAC and BAC Vectors

Difference Between YAC and BAC Vectors

Difference Between Study and Studies

Difference Between Political Parties and Interest Groups

Difference Between Political Parties and Interest Groups

What is the Difference Between Critical Moisture Content and Equilibrium Moisture Content

What is the Difference Between Critical Moisture Content and Equilibrium Moisture Content

Latest Posts

  • What is the Difference Between Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Cholangiocarcinoma
  • What is the Difference Between Medulla Oblongata and Spinal Cord
  • What is the Difference Between CHF and Pulmonary Edema
  • What is the Difference Between Bisphosphonates and Denosumab
  • What is the Difference Between Colles Fracture and Smith Fracture
  • What is the Difference Between Cutaneous and Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis
  • Home
  • Vacancies
  • About
  • Request Article
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. All rights reserved. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal.