Chapter 8, Problem 15P

Interpretation Introduction

To propose:

The chemistry behind lye soap in detail with the chemical process, its use and its mechanism of action.

Introduction:

With the use of vegetable oils and animal fats, soaps can be prepared and this process is known as saponification. These soaps are used as cleaning agents because they are containing salt form of fatty acids and they can form micelles with the dirt. Fatty acids when reacted with strong bases like lye, the ester bond of triglycerides are broken and fatty acids and glycerol are formed.