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Saponification Lab

This document describes a lab experiment on saponification to make soap. Various oils were reacted with sodium hydroxide solution and heated/stirred for 30-40 minutes to produce a whitish paste. Tests showed the mixture was basic. Common salt was added to precipitate the soap, which was then filtered, dried, and cut into shapes. The student defines saponification and discusses why sodium hydroxide and heating/stirring were used, as well as the purpose of adding salt. Products of the reaction were glycerol and fatty acid salts.

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Anneilia Campbell
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15 views

Saponification Lab

This document describes a lab experiment on saponification to make soap. Various oils were reacted with sodium hydroxide solution and heated/stirred for 30-40 minutes to produce a whitish paste. Tests showed the mixture was basic. Common salt was added to precipitate the soap, which was then filtered, dried, and cut into shapes. The student defines saponification and discusses why sodium hydroxide and heating/stirring were used, as well as the purpose of adding salt. Products of the reaction were glycerol and fatty acid salts.

Uploaded by

Anneilia Campbell
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Name: Anneilia Campbell

Lab #: 5

Date: November 28, 2023

Title: Organic Chemistry - Saponification

Aim: To make soap using the saponification reaction.

Apparatus and Materials: Stirring rod, Bunsen burner, wire gauze, tripod stand, filter funnel,

filter paper, spatula, knife, beaker (250 ml), measuring cylinders, oils (vegetable oil, castor oil,

olive oil, coconut oil or palm oil), 20% sodium hydroxide solution, common salt (NaCl), blue

and red litmus papers, fragrance or essential oils, food colourings.

Procedure:

1. 25 ml of oil was measured in a measuring cylinder and was poured into a 250 ml glass beaker.

2. 20g of NaOH was weighed using a small dry beaker.

3. 100 ml of distilled water was measured using a measuring cylinder and poured into a conical
flask.

4. The NaOH was added to the water in the conical flask and swirled until completely dissolved.

5. Measure 30ml of the NaOH solution was measured and poured into the beaker with the oil.

6. The mixture was vigorously stirred using a glass rod.

7. The beaker was touched from outside and observed that the beaker was warm.

8. The beaker on a wire gauze was placed over a tripod stand.

9. 2-3 ml of any fragrance was added and 2-3 drops of food coloring was added to the mixture
while heating.

10. The beaker was heated (using a Bunsen burner till the mixture became a whitish paste), while
it was being stirred for about 30-40 minutes.

11. The beaker was removed from the flame and allowed to cool.

12. When a red litmus paper was dipped in the suspension formed, the red litmus paper changed
its color to blue.
13. When a blue litmus paper was dipped in the suspension, the color of blue litmus paper
remained the same.

14. To the above suspension, 15g of common salt was added and stirred well with a glass rod.

15. After adding common salt, the soap in the suspension got precipitated out as solid.

16. A filter funnel was taken and a filter paper was placed in it and fixed in a stand.

17. A beaker was placed below the funnel. The contents of the beaker were poured into the
funnel over a glass rod and the contents of the beaker were filtered.

18. After filtration, soap was left behind in the filter paper.

19. The soap was transferred into another filter paper using a spatula and was dried by pressing
with another filter paper. It was then cut into the desired shape with a knife.

Observations:

PICTURE OF SOAP CREATED FROM SAPONIFICATION REACTION

Heat was released when the NaOH was added to the oil in the beaker. The liquid started to
thicken gradually as soon as the beaker was heated using the Bunsen burner and swirled. When
blue litmus paper was added to the mixture after it had cooled, the mixture did not change color
—it stayed blue. The mixture caused the red litmus paper to turn blue when it came into contact
with it. This brought out the mixture's basicity. In order for the suspension to solidify, NaCl was
added.

Write all observations seen throughout the lab.

Discussion:
1. Define saponification.

Saponification is the hydrolysis of an ester with NaOH or KOH to give alcohol and sodium or
potassium salt of the acid. It is the process by which soaps are made. Soaps are just potassium or
sodium salts of long-chain fatty acids.

2. Why was NaOH used instead of an acid?

Since NaOH is insoluble in water, it was used in the experiment in place of an acid. Sodium
hydroxide is a useful alkali because it can donate hydroxide ions, which neutralizes the fatty acid
and produces salt.

3. Why was the mixture heated and stirred for such a long period?

The mixture was heated and stirred for a long period of time in order to evaporate the water
present as water and oil do not mix. This would therefore sufficiently keep the fat melted and
base hydrolysis of the esters occur. Also, heating the mixture increases the kinetic energy of the
molecules, leading to more frequent and energetic collisions. It is stirred in order for uniform
heat distribution throughout the reaction mixture.

4. What was the purpose of NaCl in the procedure?

The purpose of the NaCl was to have the soap harden faster and is responsible for its solid
consistency. The addition of salt thereby increases the salinity of the mixture, which reduces the
solubility of the soap in water.

5. What are the products of the resulting suspension?

During saponification, esters react with an inorganic base to produce alcohol and soap. The
results of the suspension are glycerol and fatty acid salt, called 'soap'

6. Write an overall worded and chemical equation for the saponification reaction.

fat + chemical salt + water → glycerol + fatty acid salt (soap).

Chemical Equation:
Conclusion:

Soap was made using the saponification reaction, using sodium hydroxide and vegetable oil.
Undergoing the methods and processes, fatty acid salt and glycerol were formed.

Reflection:

This experiment was very interesting. I learned how to make soap. Acquiring the knowledge on
how to do this can help me as a future Med student and also, I can make soap at home or even
start a soap making small business. This information related to saponification, especially in
relation to the method will help me in my future exams.

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