Question

Define saponification.

Answer 1

And the hydrolysis of a fat by an alkali with the formation of a soap and glycerol.

Answer 2

Hey mate!!!!

Saponification: 

Esters react in the presence of an acid or a base to give back the alcohol and carboxylic acid. This is called saponification reaction.

NaOH(Sodium Hydroxide) example: CH3COOC2H5 ----------------> CH3COOH + C2H5OH Ethyl Ethanoate Ethanoic acid Ethanol


This is reverse reaction of esterification reaction.

 CH3COOC2H5  + NaOH → CH3-COOH + CH3-CH2-OH.

Hope it will be helpful to u......