Saponification (Noun)
Meaning
A chemical reaction in which an ester is heated with an alkali (especially the alkaline hydrolysis of a fat or oil to make soap).
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Examples
- The process of saponification is a crucial step in the production of soap, where triglycerides in oils react with alkali to form fatty acid salts and glycerol.
- Saponification of triglycerides is a fundamental reaction in the manufacture of soap, detergents, and other surfactants.
- Alkali metals, such as sodium and potassium, are commonly used as catalysts to initiate the saponification reaction in soap making.
- To undergo saponification, the ester linkage in the triglyceride must be broken, typically requiring heat and a strong base.
- Through the saponification reaction, acylglycerols are hydrolyzed to form fatty acid salts and free glycerol, resulting in the formation of soap and other amphiphilic compounds.