Question

Lanoline wool is:

• A. palmitic ester of cholesterol containing only one aldehyde, $C{H}_3-(C{H}_2{)}_7-CHO$ and an aldehyde mono carboxylic acid
• B. stearic acid ester of cholesterol only
• C. oleic acid ester of cholesterol only
• D. palmitic acid or stearic acid or oleic acid ester of cholesterol

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

palmitic acid or stearic acid or oleic acid ester of cholesterol

Lanoline wool is palmitic ester of cholesterol, $C{H}_3-(C{H}_2{)}_7-CHO$, and an aldehyde mono carboxylic acid. It is also called 'wool wax' or 'wool grease'. It is made of a mixture of cholesterol and the esters of several fatty acids. With water, it forms an emulsion. When purified, lanolin is used as a base for ointments and creams, as a lubricant, and in finishing and preserving leather. It is also a constituent of some varnishes and paints.