Sodium cocoate soap is manufactured by the base hydrolysis of tri-ester molecules in coconut oil - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question 2 - 2021
Question 2
Sodium cocoate soap is manufactured by the base hydrolysis of tri-ester molecules in coconut oil. The following is a balanced equation for the hydrolysis of a tri-es... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Sodium cocoate soap is manufactured by the base hydrolysis of tri-ester molecules in coconut oil - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question 2 - 2021
Step 1
Why was the reaction mixture refluxed?
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The reaction mixture was refluxed to ensure that the reaction proceeds to completion without loss of materials. Refluxing allows for constant heating, providing the necessary energy for the reaction while preventing evaporation of the solvents used.
Step 2
Justify the use of ethanol.
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Ethanol was used because it acts as a polar solvent that enhances the solubility of the reactants. It also helps in breaking the intermolecular attractions between the reactants, facilitating the hydrolysis process. Additionally, ethanol is easy to remove through distillation after the reaction.
Step 3
Justify the suitability of your suggested heating method.
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Using a Bunsen burner with a water bath is suitable because it allows for a controlled environment to maintain the desired temperature without overheating the reaction mixture. It ensures even heating and minimizes the risk of flames reaching the ethanol, which could create hazards.
Step 4
Why is it desirable to remove all the ethanol?
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Removing all the ethanol is important because any residual ethanol can interfere with the purification process of the soap. Ethanol can also affect the properties of the final product, potentially affecting its effectiveness as a soap.
Step 5
Explain the co-product of the reaction.
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The co-product of the reaction is glycerol (or glycerin), which is a byproduct formed during the saponification process. It is soluble in the aqueous phase and aids in the emulsification of the soap, contributing to its consistency and moisturizing properties.
Step 6
What is brine?
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Brine is a concentrated solution of sodium chloride (NaCl) in water, used in this process to help separate the soap from the reaction mixture. It enhances the precipitation of soap due to the ionic environment created.
Step 7
Explain the function of brine in the procedure.
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Brine functions to precipitate the soap out of the solution by increasing the ionic strength of the mixture. This leads to a decrease in the solubility of the soap, causing it to form solid droplets that can be filtered out.
Step 8
Describe how the solid soap was separated from the solution.
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The solid soap was separated from the solution through filtration. The mixture was poured into a filtration setup, allowing the liquid to pass through while the solid soap remained on the filter paper.
Step 9
Where is the excess NaOH at this stage of the procedure?
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At this stage of the procedure, the excess NaOH remains dissolved in the aqueous phase along with other soluble components. It is not precipitated with the soap and thus is still present in the solution.
Step 10
When 0.03 moles of the tri-ester shown in the equation above are hydrolysed, what is the theoretical yield, in grams, of CH₃(CH₂)₁₀COONa?
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To calculate the theoretical yield, we need to use the molar mass of CH₃(CH₂)₁₀COONa. The molar mass is approximately 19.98 g/mol. Therefore, for 0.03 moles:
0.03moles×19.98g/mol=0.5994g
Thus, the theoretical yield of CH₃(CH₂)₁₀COONa is approximately 0.60 grams.
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