KHSO4 is a dehydrating agent for glycerol. On heating it gives ACROLEIN. I'll try to show it here
CH2OH-CH(OH)-CH2OH ----KHSO4 (-2H2O)----> CH2=C=CH-OH ----Tautomerize----> CH2=CH-CH=O (Acrolein also called acraldehyde)
The acrolein test tests for the presence of glycerin or fats. There is no general equation for it, although the sample is heated with potassium bisulfate and if acrolein is released, the test is positive.
Acrolein test is a test for the presence ofglycerin or fats. A sample is heated with potassium bisulfate, and acrolein is released if the test is positive.[8] When a fat is heated strongly in the presence of a dehydrating agent such asKHSO4, the glycerol portion of the molecule is dehydrated to form the unsaturated aldehyde, acrolein (CH2=CH-CHO), which has the peculiar odor of burnt grease.
An acrolein is in organic chemistry, acrolein or propenal is the simplest unsaturated aldehyde. Acrolein is described as having a piercing, disagreeable, acrid smell similar to that of burning fat. Skin exposure to acrolein causes serious damage. Acrolein concentrations of 2 ppm are immediately dangerous to life. Acrolein may be easily produced by the action of approximately 1 part sodium bisulfate on 3 parts glycerine by weight. Acrolein is such a severe pulmonary irritant and lacrimating agent that it has been used as a chemical weapon during World War I. It is, however, not outlawed by the Chemical Weapons Convention. When glycerol is heated to 280 °C, it decomposes into acrolein. Acrolein tends to polymerize when left at room temperature, leaving a gummy yellowish residue with a putrid odor. Acrolein is also a metabolite of the chemotherapy drug cyclophosphamide, and is associated with hemorrhagic cystitis.
The salt formed by potassium hydroxide and sulphuric acid is potassium sulphate (K2SO4). Though if potassium hydroxide is the limiting reagent potassium bisulphate (KHSO4) will also form.
Borax and glycerol do not react with each other chemically. However, when they are mixed together, borax can dissolve in glycerol to form a solution.
Acrolein is typically produced from glycerol through a dehydration reaction, where glycerol is heated to high temperatures in the presence of a catalyst. This process results in the cleavage of glycerol molecules to form acrolein and other byproducts. Acrolein can also be produced through oxidation of glycerol using specific oxidizing agents.
Because when a fat is heated strongly in the presence of a dehydrating agent such as KHSO4, the glycerol portion of the molecule is dehydrated to form the unsaturated aldehyde, acrolein (CH2=CH-CHO), which has the peculiar odor of burnt grease. A sample is heated with potassium bisulfate, and acrolein is released if the test is positive. That's why Acrolein test is a test for the presence of glycerin or fats. source from the page of: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrolein
The odor of glycerol in the acrolein test is usually described as pungent, acrid, and irritating. This odor is a result of glycerol undergoing dehydration to form acrolein, which has a strong and unmistakable odor.
The acrolein test tests for the presence of glycerin or fats. There is no general equation for it, although the sample is heated with potassium bisulfate and if acrolein is released, the test is positive.
Coconut oil will produce a pungent, unpleasant smell similar to burnt plastic or rotten eggs when subjected to the acrolein test. This indicates the presence of unsaturated fatty acids in the oil that can undergo thermal degradation to form acrolein, a volatile aldehyde with a strong, distinctive odor.
Acrolein test is a test for the presence ofglycerin or fats. A sample is heated with potassium bisulfate, and acrolein is released if the test is positive.[8] When a fat is heated strongly in the presence of a dehydrating agent such asKHSO4, the glycerol portion of the molecule is dehydrated to form the unsaturated aldehyde, acrolein (CH2=CH-CHO), which has the peculiar odor of burnt grease.
An acrolein is in organic chemistry, acrolein or propenal is the simplest unsaturated aldehyde. Acrolein is described as having a piercing, disagreeable, acrid smell similar to that of burning fat. Skin exposure to acrolein causes serious damage. Acrolein concentrations of 2 ppm are immediately dangerous to life. Acrolein may be easily produced by the action of approximately 1 part sodium bisulfate on 3 parts glycerine by weight. Acrolein is such a severe pulmonary irritant and lacrimating agent that it has been used as a chemical weapon during World War I. It is, however, not outlawed by the Chemical Weapons Convention. When glycerol is heated to 280 °C, it decomposes into acrolein. Acrolein tends to polymerize when left at room temperature, leaving a gummy yellowish residue with a putrid odor. Acrolein is also a metabolite of the chemotherapy drug cyclophosphamide, and is associated with hemorrhagic cystitis.
Glycerol is an alcohol that can react with fatty acids through a process called esterification to form fats or triglycerides. This reaction forms ester bonds between the glycerol molecule and three fatty acid chains, resulting in the creation of a fat molecule.
Three water molecules are formed when a glycerol molecule combines with three fatty acid molecules in a condensation reaction. Each fatty acid molecule contributes a water molecule when it reacts with the glycerol molecule to form a triglyceride.
The salt formed by potassium hydroxide and sulphuric acid is potassium sulphate (K2SO4). Though if potassium hydroxide is the limiting reagent potassium bisulphate (KHSO4) will also form.
Acrolein can be found in cigarette smoke, industrial emissions, and some heated oils and fats such as those used in frying. It is also present in some air pollutants and can form during certain cooking processes.
Borax and glycerol do not react with each other chemically. However, when they are mixed together, borax can dissolve in glycerol to form a solution.