How does soap work saponification

What Is Saponification in Soap-Making? By Roxanna Coldiron March 26, Save Pin More. Comments 1 Add Comment. Martha Stewart Member. March 29, Back to story Comment on this project. Tell us what you think Thanks for adding your feedback. All rights reserved. This is called alkaline hydrolysis of esters.

Since this reaction leads to the formation of soap, it is called the Saponification process. The polar group is called the head and the non-polar group is called the tail. Thus, the soap molecule has a polar head and a non-polar hydrocarbon tail. The polar head is hydrophilic in nature water loving and the non-polar tail is hydrophobic water repelling in nature.

The saponification reaction is exothermic in nature, because heat is liberated during the process. The soap formed remains in suspension form in the mixture.

Soap is precipitated as a solid from the suspension by adding common salt to the suspension. This process is called Salting out of Soap.

Depending upon the nature of alkali used in the production of soap, they are classified into two types. The sodium salt of long chain fatty acid is known as hard soap. It is difficult to dissolve in water. It is used as laundry soap. The potassium salt of long chain fatty acid is known as soft soap, as it produces more lather. It is used as toilet soap and shaving soap. Since soaps have free alkali ions, they are alkaline in nature. Hence, the soap solutions are slippery to the touch. Cite this Simulator:.

Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Share Flipboard Email. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph. Chemistry Expert. Helmenstine holds a Ph. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter. Key Takeaways: Soap Soap is a fatty acid of a salt. Soaps are used as cleansers and lubricants. Soap cleans by acting as a surfactant and emulsifier.

It can surround oil, making it easier to rinse it away with water. Featured Video. Cite this Article Format. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph. How Soap Works. Biological Polymers: Proteins, Carbohydrates, Lipids. Saponification Definition and Reaction.

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