Question

Saponification is the process of making soap from fats or oils. The reaction is a type of esterification that uses the addition of a strong base to release the deprotonated fatty acid, which is the soap.

A. True

B. False

Answer 1

Saponification is not a type of esterification but the base-promoted hydrolysis of esters, where triglycerides are broken down with a strong base into soap molecules and glycerol. The strong base such as NaOH or KOH is consumed in the reaction, forming soap and glycerol.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement provided in the student's question is false. Saponification is not a type of esterification, but the opposite process - it is the base-promoted hydrolysis of esters. The reaction involves the breakdown of triglycerides (fats and oils) in the presence of a strong base like sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH), resulting in the formation of glycerol and the sodium or potassium salts of fatty acids, which are the components of soap.

During saponification, fats, which are tri-esters of glycerol and fatty acids, react with the base. This process produces soap molecules such as sodium palmitate or sodium stearate. Notably, sodium hydroxide is consumed during the reaction and is not serving as a catalyst; therefore, describing the reaction as esterification is incorrect.

To summarize the process, the high pressure and temperature conditions combined with the use of a base in soap-making cause the hydrolysis of triglycerides, releasing glycerol and fatty acid salts - the essential components of soap.