linolenic acid
linolenic acid
A two-membered subclass of octadecatrienoic acid comprising the (9<i>Z</i>,12<i>Z</i>,15<i>Z</i>)- and (6<i>Z</i>,9<i>Z</i>,12<i>Z</i>)-isomers. Linolenic acids are nutrients essential to the formation of prostaglandins and are also used in making paints and synthetic resins.