Soap is manufactured by the alkaline hydrolysis of
- A. ethanol
- B. benzene
- C. starch
- D. natural fats and oils, which are esters of glycerol
Explanation
Boiling a fat with sodium hydroxide splits the three ester linkages and gives sodium salts of long chain fatty acids, the soap, together with glycerol as a valuable by product. Soap cleans because the hydrocarbon tail dissolves in grease while the ionic head remains in the water. Using potassium hydroxide instead gives a softer, more soluble soap.
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