1) Saponification of fat

Required: 100 ml - beaker; t.t.; evaporation dish; olive oil; ethanol 96%; NaOH;

Heat with a small flame 10 ml olive oil together with 5 ml ethanol in an evaporation dish to ca. 70[°C].
Dissolve in a beaker 2 g NaOH in 10 ml aqua dest., warm and add portionwise within
10 minutes the basic solution to the hot fat under constant stirring.
The end of the saponification is reached if a small portion of the product dissolves clearly in hot water.
Finally allow to cool.


2) Production from fatty acids

Required: 250 ml-conical flask; measuring pipette (10 ml); t.t.; b.b.; weigh; oleic acid; sodium carbonate; ethanol

Dissolve in a conical flask 2 ml oleic acid in 4 ml ethanol and warm carefully.
Prepare a solution by dissolving 0,5 g of sodium carbonate in 5 ml aqua dest.
Add portionwise the second solution to the first one. There is a production of carbondioxide-foam so don't add too rapidly! -
If there is no more foam-production the reaction is complete.
Warm until the mixture is viscous and allow to cool.


3) Test on soap

Fill water in any glass apparatus (e.g. beaker) and put on the surface a small feather or pepper.
Then add a small amount of your soap.
Observation? - Explanation?