saponification Definition
- 1the process of making soap from fats and lye
- 2the hydrolysis of an ester under basic conditions to form an alcohol and the salt of the acid
Using saponification: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "saponification" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
Saponification is a chemical reaction that produces soap.
Example
The saponification value of a fat is the amount of base required to saponify it.
Example
The saponification process involves heating oils and fats with a strong alkali to produce soap.
saponification Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for saponification
- soap making
- soap production
Phrases with saponification
a process in which an acid is used to hydrolyze an ester into an alcohol and a carboxylic acid
Example
Acid saponification is used in the production of biodiesel.
a process in which an alkali is used to hydrolyze an ester into an alcohol and a salt of the acid
Example
Alkaline saponification is used in the production of soap.
saponification value
the amount of potassium hydroxide (KOH) required to saponify a certain amount of fat or oil
Example
The saponification value of coconut oil is 250-264 mg KOH/g.
Origins of saponification
from Latin 'sapo', meaning 'soap'
Summary: saponification in Brief
Saponification [sæpənɪfɪˈkeɪʃən] is the process of making soap from fats and lye, or the hydrolysis of an ester under basic conditions to form an alcohol and the salt of the acid. It involves heating oils and fats with a strong alkali to produce soap, and is also used in the production of biodiesel. The saponification value is the amount of base required to saponify a certain amount of fat or oil.
