Saponification
Description: Soap is made by the treatment of lard with methanol and water, sodium hydroxide, salt, and heat. The substance is compared to untreated lard in water by shaking in individual Erlenmeyer flasks to detect the formation of suds. Glycerol may also be used as the alcohol.
Source: Maynard, J.H., UW-Madison Dept of Chemistry
Year: 2014 Vol: N/A Page: N/A
Keywords: Fatty Acids, Base, Soap, Organic Chemistry, Saponification, Salt
Rating: 
Hazard: Medium
- Flammable Liquids
- Acute toxicity hazard- oral, inhalation, dermal
- Specific organ toxicity- eyes
- Corrosive to metals
- Skin corrosion hazard
- Acute aquatic toxicity
- Electric shock hazard
- Burn hazard
Effectiveness: Average
- Results observable with guidance
- Mild effects are seen by audience
- Contrast of systems behavior is notable
- Time to results is medium
- Low failure rate
- Good connection from demo to course
Difficulty: High
- Use of toxic substances
- Some concerted or timed manipulations
- Procedure with some intermediate steps to results
- Reactions or demos at non-standard conditions
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection required
- Thermal gloves recommended
- Prevent release of reagents to the environment
- Perform in well-ventilated area
- Perform on a chemically resistant surface
- Spill material on hand
- Use of UL approved three-prong plug and outlet
- ABC fire extinguisher on hand
Class: Types of Organic Reactions
Division: Organic Chemistry, General Chemistry
Home| Organic Chemistry Demonstrations
Return to General Chemistry Demonstrations