Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and palmitic acid are both considered molecular compounds. They are formed from covalent bonds, where atoms share electrons rather than transferring them as in ionic bonds.
Ascorbic acid has a chemical formula of C6H8O6 and is a vitamin that plays a vital role in various biochemical processes, including the synthesis of collagen and functioning as an antioxidant. Its structure includes multiple hydroxyl (–OH) groups, and it exists as discrete molecules in solution, characteristic of molecular compounds.
Palmitic acid, on the other hand, is a saturated fatty acid with the chemical formula C16H32O2. It has a long hydrocarbon chain, making it hydrophobic. Similar to ascorbic acid, palmitic acid is also made up of molecules held together by covalent bonds. In solid form, palmitic acid can form a consistent molecular structure, but it does not exhibit the properties of a covalent network solid.
In summary, both ascorbic acid and palmitic acid are molecular compounds due to their covalent bonding and discrete molecular structure.