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Sodium hydroxide (also known as lye) is a strong base. It is used in the manufacture of soap because of the reaction it undergoes with the triglycerides found in fats and oils.

Triglycerides are esters of glycerine and fatty acids. When a strong base is mixed with an ester, irreversible base-catalyzed de-esterification (also called saponification) occurs. The resulting products are glycerine and fatty acid salts. Long-chain fatty acid salts are good surfactants because they contain a highly polar 'head' with a long non-polar 'tail'. As such, they can solvate oils in water.

Thus, sodium hydroxide is used in the manufacture of soap to produce these useful products from fats and oils via saponification.

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Q: Why is sodium hydroxide used to manufactured soap?
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Related questions

What is used in soap?

sodium hydroxide


What alkali is used to make soap?

The alkali most commonly used today is sodium hydroxide. Potassium hydroxide can also be used.


What alkali is used in making soap?

The alkali most commonly used today is sodium hydroxide. Potassium hydroxide can also be used.


Which 4 acids are important for industry?

Aluminum hydroxide and Ammonia, Calcium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide. Aluminum hydroxide is used in color fast fabrics and water purification. ammonia is used in cleaners and fertilizer, Calcium hydroxide is used in leather making and mortar and plaster making. sodium hydroxide is used to make soap.


What chemical compound does the term NaOH represent?

The term NaOH represents the chemical compound sodium hydroxide. It is mainly used in the form of sodium hydroxide solution. Solid sodium hydroxide is an essential component of drain cleaners.


What is hard soap?

Soap prepared by the reaction between fat (or oil) and sodium hydroxide is called hard soap. These soaps are used only for washing.


Can sodium chloride be used to make soap instead of lye?

No, because sodium chloride isn't alkaline; you could use sodium hydroxide instead of potassium hydroxide (lye) but sodium chloride wouldn't work very well.


What are the physical property uses of the compound Sodium Hydroxide?

Sodium Hydroxide is commonly used in cleaning agents in dish liquid soap, and as a drain un-clogger, as it is strong with dissolving things.


Is an iye and acid or base?

A Base . More correctly it is a soluble base, 'Lye' is the commercial name used in soap making for 'sodium hydroxide'. Sodium hydroxide is an alkali ( a soluble base).


Why do people depend on potassium hydroxide?

Potassium hydroxide can be used as a substitute for sodium hydroxide in a number of applications. It can be used in the manufacture of soap and biodiesel, as an electrolyte in batteries, and as a precursor to other potassium compounds.


Examples of bases and their uses?

Sodium Hydroxide: manufacture of Soap, as a cleaning agent. Ammonia in the manufacture of fertilisers and in cleaning agents as well.


Uses of bases?

Bases are commonly used in household cleaning products, as they have properties that help to dissolve dirt and grease. They are also used in agriculture to balance soil pH levels for optimal plant growth. In laboratories, bases are utilized in processes such as titrations and in the production of pharmaceuticals.