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Sodium Hydroxide and the Production of Soap



             (Chlorine). To keep the hydrogen gas and chlorine from reacting together they are separated by a cation-permeable membrane which allows Na+ to circulate maintaining electric neutrality (McMurry and Fay 793). Na+ is not included in the above equation because it is a spectator ion whose "job" is to transfer an electric current. The H2(g) and Cl2(g) are piped away where the chlorine is liquefied for shipping and storage while the H2(g) usually burned to evaporate the water from the sodium hydroxide solution (Chlorine). .
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             (McMurry and Fay 794).
             Early soap makers used tallow or other fats for soap. While tallow is still used even in commercial soap production, vegetable fats are also used. The different kinds of fat used depend on the desired final characteristics of the soap. For instance, if the soap is to moisturize, the fat used may be an unsaturated vegetable oil containing vitamin F. The essential fatty acids in vitamin F are linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and arachidonic acid (Cavitch 225). To the skin these bring a healthy, youthful appearance and the hair appears shinier and healthier when in good supply (Vitamins). The texture of soaps made with unsaturated fats is more fluid that those made with saturated fats. This is because the hydrocarbon chain of unsaturated fats have a bend in them located at the double bond. This lessens the cohesion of fat particles making them liquid at room temperature. The bend in the unsaturated fat will also interfere with the reaction between the fatty acids and sodium hydroxide slowing the reaction speed. .
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             Soap is made from the reaction between a neutral fatty acid and an alkali base. The three far left carbons along with the hydrogen bonded to them make up glycerol. Connecting to the glycerol is three hydrocarbon chains. These are fatty acids and what will react with the strong base (Cavitch 234).
             The main reactions involving sodium hydroxide that produce soap are as follows:.


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