SAPONIFICATION Presented by Hareth Hameed of

IX-A
SAPONIFICATION
Saponification is a process that involves
the conversion of fat, oil, or lipid, into
soap and alcohol by the action of heat in
the presence of aqueous alkali (e.g.
NaOH). Soaps are salts of fatty acids
and fatty acids are monomers of lipids
that have long carbon chains (at least
10) e.g. sodium palmitate.
Saponification reactions are generally
exothermic and almost totally
irreversible.
GENERAL REACTION

Esters can be cleaved back into a

carboxylic acid and an alcohol by
reaction with water and a base. The
reaction is called a saponification from
the Latin sapo which means soap. The
name comes from the fact that soap used
to be made by the ester hydrolysis of
fats. Due to the basic conditions a
carboxylate ion is made rather than a
carboxylic acid.
SOAPS
Soaps play a vital role in keeping clean. They are salts made from the alkaline
hydrolysis of fats and oils (triglycerides).
Fat molecules contain three ester links. These can be hydrolysed when they are
heated with sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. This results in the formation
of glycerol and a salt - soap.
Fat/Oil + Sodium Hydroxide
>Soap + Glycerol
SOAPS
Fats and oils are esters made from glycerol and long
chain fatty acids.
Consider the hydrolysis of this triglyceride found in
animal fat.
This molecule can be hydrolysed to give stearic acid
(C17H35COOH). Under alkaline conditions, when the
three ester links break, three stearic acid molecules are
produced. These are then neutralized to form water-
soluble ionic salts called soaps. If sodium hydroxide is
used then sodium stearate (C17H33COONa) is formed
as the soap well as glycerol.
Sodium stearate (a white solid) is the most common
type of soap. Each molecule consists of a long non-
polar covalent hydrocarbon ‘tail’ and a polar, ionic
‘head’ where the charge is.
SOAPS
This structure explains the cleansing action of soap as
the non-polar ‘tail’ dissolves in non-polar substances
such as grease while the polar ‘head’ will not.
The non-polar tail of the molecule can be called
hydrophobic as it is repelled by water.
However, the polar, ionic head is hydrophilic and
does dissolve in polar solvents such as water.
Once scrubbed or mixed properly, the grease is
broken up into small ball-like structures (micelles)
and held in suspension in the water by the repulsion
of the negatively charged ionic heads.
This suspension of small grease droplets in water is
called an emulsion.
PROCEDURE
PROCEDURE
Mixing the lye solution
Preparing the oils
Blending everything to “trace”
Adding other ingredients
Soap molds
Allow to set
Cut into bars
SAFETY TIPS
Wear glasses and gloves throughout the process!
Mix the lye solution and soap outside or in a well-
ventilated area.
When mixing the lye solution, pour the lye into the
water and not the water into the container with the
lye. (It sounds like it shouldn’t make a difference,
but it pouring the water into the lye can result in a
somewhat explosive reaction.)
I suggest mixing the lye solution in a stainless steel
bowl (or plastic). I used to mix the lye solution in
heavy glass bowls. While I never had a problem, I
have heard accounts of people who have had them
crack from the heat given off by the chemical
reaction.
If you should happen to get some lye on your skin,
rinse it off with plenty of clean, cool water- not
vinegar!
INGREDIENTS FOR MAKING
SOAP 1
INGREDIENTS FOR MAKING
SOAP 2
DIFFERENT TYPES OF SOAPS
BAR SOAP LIQUID SOAP
DIFFERENT PROCESSES TO
MAKE SOAP
COLD PROCESS HOT PROCESS
ADDING SOLID ADDITIVES
Additives are liquid or solid ingredients that give unique properties to melt and pour
soap. Clays, powders, extracts, botanicals, and exfoliants are popular cosmetic
additives. Choosing unique, effective additives will set your handcrafted soaps apart.
THANK YOU