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Saponification is the process of creating soap.
It typically involves reacting a strong alkaline (such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc.) with a fatty acid or oil.
The strong base reacts with the fatty acid to create a salt with a long hydrocarbon chain left over from the fatty acid or oil.
Here's the reaction (using lye as an example):
(hydrocarbon chain)-COOH + NaOH --> (hydrocarbon chain)-COONa + H2O
When the cation bonds with the fatty acid/oil, it creates a new substance that possess the hydrophilic properties of the lipid hydrocarbon chain as well as the hydrophilic properties of the alkali metal (the sodium atom).
Therefore, it can mix with both hydrophobic AND hydrophilic substances.
Thus, if you need to wash away something greasy (hydrophobic), the hydrophobic chain of the soap will mix with the greasy substance, and a polar substance (such as water) can mix with the hydrophilic end of the soap as well...allowing you to mix grease with soap with water...and wash it away.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoSaponification is a hydrolysis reaction
"savon" in French means soap this process is "turning into soap" but is much broader than just making stuff to clean with.
Wiki User
∙ 15y agohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saponification
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoIt is used to make soaps and detergents by reacting a strong base (such as NaOH or KOH) with a triglyceride or other fat.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoA saponification reaction is a type of permanent reaction. This reaction occurs when esters and alkalis combine in aqueous solutions to make a salt and alcohol. The salt created is soap.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoSaponification is the type of chemical reaction which makes soap.
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How do you saponification stearic acid?
Saponification is not applied to pure stearic acid; stearic acid esters are used.
What is the catalyst needed for saponification?
Thymol is a good catalyst in saponification. I personally used it during chem prac class :)
In which reaction is soap a product?
saponification
Is saponification exothermic or endothermic?
it is an endothermic
Why is saponification reaction is considered to be the reverse of an esterification reaction?
saponification is considered to be the reverse process of an esterification reaction due to the fact that esterification is combining an alcohol and a carboxylic acid but a saponification is breaking apart the ester by adding an NaCl molecule (soap) to the chain of carbons.
Why do you think ethanol is used in saponification process?
Ethanol is added to hasten saponification.
Why refluxing is done in saponification?
Saponification is the process of producing soap. Refluxing is done in saponification to distill and remove fat droplets in order to complete the process.
Why mineral oil does not undergo saponification?
Saponification is the reaction between triesters and alcohol.Mineral oil is composed of paraffins and alkanes ,it does'nt contain ester group hence it does not undergo saponification
How do you saponification stearic acid?
Saponification is not applied to pure stearic acid; stearic acid esters are used.
How are soap prepared?
Saponification
What is the catalyst needed for saponification?
Thymol is a good catalyst in saponification. I personally used it during chem prac class :)
Between butter and margarine which one got higher saponification value?
margarine has saponification value more then butter
In which reaction is soap a product?
saponification
Is saponification exothermic or endothermic?
it is an endothermic
What type of saponification reaction takes place in the human body?
Saponification takes place in places where fat is stored in the human body.
What is the role of ethanol in saponification?
ethanol allows oil to be able to mix with water.
Why does the use of aluminum containers interupt the saponification process, and what material would completely prevent the saponification process?
Saponification is a process of converting esters into soaps and alcohols by the action of aqueous alkali (for example, aqueous sodium hydroxide solutions).
