Which among the following compounds represents a soap molecule?

Which among the following compounds represents a soap molecule?
  1. Ammonium slat of formic acid
  2. Ammonium slat of higher fatty acids
  3. Sodium salt of formic acid
  4. Potassium salt of higher fatty acids

Solution

Soaps are the sodium or potassium salt of higher fatty acids, e.g. C17H35COOK (potassium stearate). These are obtained by alkaline hydrolysis of oils and fats. The reaction is called saponificaiton.

Asked in: MHT CET 2022 (10 Aug Shift 2)

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