Question

What is Saponification? Write the reaction involved in this process.

Answer 1

Hint: We need to know that the saponification is a hydration reaction. The reactants that take place in the saponification reaction are alkali and ester. The ester is a chemical compound having the general formula, \[RCOO{R^'}\]. The ester is derived from an acid which has at least one hydroxyl group. That hydroxyl group is replaced by an alkyl group, \[\left( { - O - } \right)\]by the substitution reaction. The ethyl acetate is derived from acetic acid. Here the hydrogen atom is replaced by the ethyl group.

Complete answer:
When the ester is reacted with alkali, there is a formation of sodium ethanoate and ethanol and this reaction is known as saponification reaction. Because, this reaction is used for the bases of the preparation of soap. Let’s see the chemical reaction takes place in saponification reaction,
\[C{H_3}COO{C_2}{H_5} + NaOH \to C{H_3}COONa + {C_2}{H_5}OH\]
Here, the eater is reacting with an inorganic base which makes alcohol and soap. And this reaction is a hydration reaction. Because, the free hydroxide present in the alkali will break the ester bonds present between the glycerol and fatty acids of a triglyceride and there is a formation of free acids and glycerol. And both are soluble in the aqueous solutions.

Note:
We need to know that soaps are the form of a long chain of fatty acids which contains sodium or potassium salts. When the sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide are reacting with triglycerides, there is a formation of soap and glycerol. And this process is known as alkaline hydrolysis of esters. Since, this reaction is used for the preparation of esters is known as saponification process.