Question

what is the difference between hard oil and soft oil?? why does hardoil undergosaponificationwith difficulty?

Answer 1

Hard Oils- Those oils which are solid at room temprature are hard oils. Example- Palm oil

Soft Oils- Those oils which are liquid at room temperature are soft oils. Example- Olive oil

Since hard oils are solid at room temperature it will create a heterogeneous system while saponification reaction. The reaction involves addition of alkali which is in liquid state, so it will react slowly with hard oils. Thus hard oils undergo saponification with difficulty.