OBJECTIVES

The objective of the experiment was:

1. To synthesize a sample of hard soap

2. To test the soap produced

INTRODUCTION

The process by which triglycerides reacts with sodium to produce glycerol and fatty
acid salt, which is known as soap. Triglycerides are esters where three molecules are linked to
fatty acids to alcohol glycerol. Reaction of triglyceride with sodium hydroxide(NaOH) to
produce soft soap. Fat is added into NaOH solution, the mixture is heated in water bath until
precipitate appears. The mixture is then cooled in an ice-bath and filtered to remove any excess
NaOH. A continuous chemical reaction with three different chemical analysis (foam level with
distilled water, addition of calcium chloride & trisodium phosphate). Foam level is the highest
(3.5ml) after shaken & dissolved in distilled water as water contain minerals that aids in
foaming. Addition of calcium chloride reduces the foam level as it disturbs the properties of
the soap and results in temporary hardness. Foam level proceeds to decrease with addition of
trisodium phosphate(TPS) as TPS has alkaline property, that can deactivate water hardness
mineral. Overall process of saponification with three addition reactions shows that fatty acid
(soap) reacts differently in all three phases.
THEORY

Experiment 1 which is saponification reaction of fat: soap production was run to make
sure that the hard soap was synthesized and also to make sure that the soap produced can be
tested. Saponification reaction is important in order to produce soap. Generally, soap is well-
known as a substance used to clean off dirt when it is use with the presence of water. Soap is a
very effective cleansing agent beside it also has a good smell. Soaps are sodium or potassium
fatty acids salts, produced from the hydrolysis of fats in a chemical reaction called
saponification (Helmenstine, A.M, 2017). A long hydrocarbon chain which is sometimes called
‘tail’ and with a carboxylate ‘head’ are present in soap molecule. Sodium or potassium ion will
float free by leaving the negatively-charged head in the water. Throughout this experiment,
hard soap was produced through saponification process.

Saponification is defined as an organic chemical reaction which utilized an alkali to

cleave an ester into a carboxylic acid (Reid. D, 2012). A functional group which are ester,
carboxylic acid and alcohol been used in this saponification reaction. Fat is also referred as
triglycerides. The formation of saponification reaction can be referred in Figure 1 shown below.

Figure 1: Formation of saponification reaction

Figure 1 showed that the chemical reaction that occur when triglyceride is heated along
with sodium hydroxide which will produce glycerol and soap. The soap will become
precipitates when common salt is added. The soap will molded into bars when the unreacted
alkaline solution of soap is washed free.
 Figure 2: How soap works

The hydrophobic tails of soap molecules embed in grease and oil, breaking it up
into particles called micelles that lift off the surface and disperse into water. Basically, for
the saponification reaction, a base which is either NaOH or KOH was used for hydrolysis
of triglycerides in order to make three salts (soap) and glycerol. In this experiment NaOH
had been chosen as a base. Usually the molecules crystallized differently depending on the
base used. NaOH will produce a harder bar soap which is in line with the stated objectives
for this experiment. The preparation of soap was started by dissolving a NaOH solution in
distilled water and ethanol. Next, fat were added and heat the mixture in water bath at
100˚C. Within 20 minutes soap will became precipitate. 50% of water/ alcohol were added
if the solvent started to evaporate.

NaCl solution was placed in the beaker while the saponified mixture is being
transferred to the beaker. The beaker was cooled down in the ice water while stirring the
mixture. Filter paper was used to filter excess NaOH and the prepared soap was collected.
Wait for a few minutes until the soap is partially dry and test the soap by using this
procedure. 0.01g of soap was placed in graduated cylinder along with distilled water and
shakes the mixture vigorously for 15 seconds. The level of the foam was measured. Next,
5-10 drops of 4% calcium chloride solution was added and shakes the mixture for 15
seconds. Record the changes that calcium chloride solution has made towards the mixture.
For the last observation, add another 0.5g of trisodium phosphate and shakes the mixture.
Record the result obtained.