Chemical Notation

Computer models of some fatty acids may help you visualize the 3-D shapes of these large molecules and relate these structures to the 2-D notations chemists use to describe them on paper.

Chime, Rasmol or another PDB (Protein Data Bank) molecular viewer is needed to see the following structures. Click here to get Rasmol or to find instructions about using the program.

Click on the molecule name to open the pdb file.

	Lauric Acid	Lauric Acid Dimer	Lauric Acid Packing
	Stearic Acid	Stearic Acid Dimer	Stearic Acid Packing
	Oleic Acid	Oleic Acid Dimer	Oleic Acid Packing
	Linoleic Acid  with hydrogen	Linoleic Acid Dimer	Linoleic Acid Packing
	Trilaurin	Trilaurin Dimer	Trilaurin Packing
	Sucrose Oleate	Sucrose	Oleic Acid

Sucrose and sucrose oleate data from http://www.sci.ouc.bc.ca/chem/molecule/Formula_Index.htm