Industrial Chemistry > 5. Saponification is an important organic industrial process > What Is Saponification? >
Describe saponification as the conversion in basic solution of fats and oils to glycerol and salts of fatty acids
Saponification
- is the conversion of fats and oils (forms of triglycerides/triacylglycerols/TAGS) in a basic solution to produce glycerol and a salt of a fatty acid which is known as soap.
- The negatively charged hydroxide ion of the base (e.g. NaOH) attacks the partially positive carbonyl carbon of fats/oils, leading to bond breaking between the glycerol and the carboxyl group present in fats/oils.
- The metal ion from the base (e.g. Na+ ) is attracted to the carboxylate produced after cleavage of fats/oils, forming a salt of fatty acid (soap)
