Question

Discuss the saponification reaction.

Answer 1

• A reaction is said to be a saponification reaction when an ester undergoes hydrolysis in the presence of alkali.
• Soap is prepared by the alkaline hydrolysis of higher esters.
• The general reaction is shown as follows:
  $$\begin{gathered} {\mathrm{RCOOR}}^{\text{'}}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+\mathrm{NaOH}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to \mathrm{RCOONa}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+{\mathrm{R}}^{\text{'}}\mathrm{OH}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right) \\ \mathrm{Ester}\mathrm{Sodium}\mathrm{salt}\mathrm{Alcohol} \\ \mathrm{of}\mathrm{fatty}\mathrm{acid} \end{gathered}$$
• Therefore, Hydrolysis of higher esters with alkali is called saponification reaction.