The Structure of Soap
What are the functional groups making up soap?
Ester and Carboxylic acid
What is the name of the chemical reaction that occurs in saponification
Hydrolysis
Triglyceride + Strong Base (NaOH or KOH) → Glycerol + Soap (fatty acid salt)
Which has a higher melting point (Hard or soft soap)
Hard
Where do the earliest forms of soap come from and when?
Babylon, 2200 B.C
What type of bonding occurs in saponification
Esters
Name step one of basic ester hydrolysis
Nucleophilic Attack: The hydroxide ion attacks the carbonyl carbon of the ester.
What is the definition of Saponification?
Saponification is the chemical process in which soap is created
Which has stronger intermolecular forces- hard or soft soap?
Hard
What did the Romans do in the 18th century to make soap
treating fats like lard or tallow with alkali in open vats, heating the mixture
What is the overall reaction for one group of esters
RCOOR’+OH−→RCOO−+R’OH
Name the second step in basic ester hydrolysis
Tetrahedral intermediate is formed.
What type of energy reaction occurs when making soap?
Exothermic
What do you need to make soft soap?
You can use potassium hydroxide (KOH) to react with the triglyceride.
Whats the differences between making soap now and in the past
Various ingredients and techniques to create a wide range of soap products, including those with unique fragrances, colors, and textures.
What elements make up soap (The one in the diagram)
Carbon, oxygen, and sodium
Name step three in basic ester hydrolysis
Leaving group departure: The -OR group (from the ester) leaves.
What can speed up the process of saponification?
Increased temperature (adding hot water)
What is Micelle formation?
In water, soap molecules arrange into micelles, trapping grease/oil in the nonpolar core and washing it away.
When did we see the development of the cold process
The 18th century
Overall reaction (In the case of a triglyceride)
C3H5(OOC-R)3+3NaOH→C3H5(OH)3+3RCOONa
Name step four in basic ester hydrolysis
Acid/base reactions: The carboxylic acid intermediate deprotonates to form the carboxylate (soap).
What is the more complex definition of Saponification?
It is the base-catalyzed hydrolysis of esters, typically triglycerides, into glycerol and soap
What part of soap is hydrophobic and hydrophilic?
Long nonpolar hydrocarbon tail (hydrophobic) and polar carboxylate head (hydrophilic).
What is the recipe they used in 2200 BC
Soap made from water, alkali, and cassia oil