More Revision of Carboxylic Acid

One of the carboxylic acid of relevance in soap making

common name: Strearic acid

CH₃CH2)₁₆COOH

IUPAC Name Octadecanoic acid

Sodium stearate is soap.

Triglyceride is a triester of glycerol with fatty acids.

Fatty acids are carboxylic acids.

Formation of esters

When carboxylic acids are heated with alcohols in the presence of concentrated H2SO4, esters are formed. The reaction is reversible and is called esterification.


From the materials on esters

Hydrolysis of esters

Esters are slowly hydrolysed by water at reflux temperatures. The reaction is accelerated by dilute mineral acids (HCl, H2SO4) or alkalies.

Hydrolysis of esters by alkalies is also known as saponification and leads to formation of soaps.