Question

What is the process of soap preparation known as?

Answer 1

Saponification reaction:

• Soaps containing sodium salts are formed by heating fats (glyceryl ester of fatty acids) with an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. This reaction is known as the saponification reaction.
• The process of soap preparation is known as saponification.

Chemical reaction:

• In the chemical reaction, sodium hydroxide (a base) reacts with triglyceride to give glycerol and sodium palmitate (a soap) as the product.
• The chemical reaction is as follows,