SUGGESTED PROBLEMS

• Draw structures for the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid.
  
  
• Knowing the definition of omega-3 and the facts about most naturally-occurring fatty acid geometric isomerism and double-bond placement, there should be very little ambiguity about the structure. [The geometry of the correct line structure should correspond to the space-filled structure shown on the previous page. The "other" geometric isomer is shown here.]
  
  
• Give the complete systematic names for these acids. Also give the symbolic names for them (with reference to the carboxyl group).
  
  
• Fatty acids are oxidized by O₂ at allylic positions on the fatty acid chain. Where are the allylic positions in the acids you drew above?