Question

Wax are long-chain compound belonging to the class [CPMT $1982,93$]
A. Acids
B. Alcohols
C. Esters
D. Ethers

Answer 1

Hint: In nature waxes are widely distributed as the wax coating is observed in the leaves, and fruits of many plants. Wax coating helps them to protect themselves from dehydration and small predators. They consist of long aliphatic alkyl chains although aromatic compounds may also be present.

Complete answer:Waxes are esters of fatty acids with long-chain alcohols. As we know simple esters are formed by the combination of carboxylic acid and alcohol, similarly, wax esters are produced by the combination of fatty acid and fatty alcohol. This fatty alcohol may contain $12-32$carbon atoms.

 Natural waxes are organic compounds containing unsaturated bonds and consist of various functional groups like fatty acids, ${{1}^{o}}$and ${{2}^{o}}$alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters of fatty acids. Also, synthetic waxes contain long-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons that lack functional groups. Waxes are insoluble in aqueous solution but soluble only in non-polar solvents.

Therefore waxes are long-chain compounds belonging to the class esters.

Thus, option (C) is correct.

Additional information: Natural waxes are synthesized by many animals and plants. In plant wax, mixtures of unesterified hydrocarbons are predominant over ester molecules but in the plant, they are produced from a different variety of fatty acids and fatty alcohols. For example, carnauba wax is found on the leaves of palm trees in Brazil that is found used on the floor and animal wax such as Beeswax is secreted by bees to make cells to preserve the honey.

Note: Waxes are also synthesized industrially for coatings as a component of complex formulations. For example in the formulation of plastics polyethylene and polypropylene waxes are used. Also, polyethylene waxes are used in inks in the form of dispersions to reduce friction.