UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN KIMIA

ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY LABORATORY
(CHE485)

NAME :MUHAMAD ARIF BIN MUHAMAD ZAWAYI

STUDENT NO. :2018262702
GROUP :3F
EXPERIMENT :SOAPS AND DETERGENT
DATE PERFORMED :12TH NOVEMBER 2018
SEMESTER :3
PROGRAMME / CODE :EH220/CHE485
SUBMIT TO :DR. TAN HUEY LING

No. Title Allocated Marks (%) Marks

1 Abstract/Summary 5
2 Introduction 10
3 Aims 5
4 Theory 10
5 Apparatus 5
6 Methodology/Procedure 10
7 Results 10
8 Calculations 10
9 Discussion 20
10 Conclusion 5
11 Recommendations 5
12 Reference / Appendix 5
TOTAL MARKS 100

Remarks:

Checked by :

---------------------------

Date :
1
 TABLE OF CONTENT

1.0 ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................ 3

2.0 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................. 4

3.0 OBJECTIVES .................................................................................................................... 7

4.0 THEORY ............................................................................................................................ 8

5.0 APPARATUS & MATERIAL ........................................................................................ 17

6.0 METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................ 18

6.1) Part A, Soap Preparation ……………………….......................................................... 18

6.2) Part B, Comparison of The Soap and The Detergent Properties (Precipitation and
Emulsifying) ..................................................................................................................... 19

6.3) Part C, comparison of cleaning abilities of soap and detergent…………………20

7.0 RESULTS ......................................................................................................................... 21

8.0 DISCUSSION …………………….................................................................................... 28

9.0 CONCLUSION................................................................................................................... 32

10.0 RECOMMENDATION........................................................................33

11.0 REFERENCES……………. ....................................................................................... 34

12.0 APPENDIX ................................................................................................................... 35

2
 1.0 ABSTRACT

The experiment of the preparation of soaps and detergent had been conducted on 12th November
2018. The soap is prepared by following the saponification process of reacting ethanol and
vegetable oil with NaOH. The soap produced is used to compare its properties with the synthetic
detergent in the form of precipitation, emulsification and cleaning abilities. Based on the result
obtained from the experiment conducted, it can be concluded that the soap has the properties of
emulsifying oil insomuch as detergent has not. This is due to the ability of the soap in forming
precipitates and it can be seen clearly in the soap solution while conducting the experiment.
Somehow, detergent did not forms precipitate. Thus, the experiment is completed and
flourishingly conducted.

3
 2.0 INTRODUCTION

Soaps and detergent are the chemicals that are used frequently in daily basis. From clothes
cleaning to cleaning our body, the uses of soaps and detergent are broad and essential. However,
the mechanism of how they work as a cleaning agent and the background of them is not a thing
that everyone gives attention on.

Based on the history, the soap had been invented by the Babylonian back in 2800 BC
where the soap has been excavated in clay cylinders and the Phoenicians around 600 BC. By
1500 BC, the Egyptians medical scrolls recommended a soap made from alkaline salt and
animals and vegetables fat in order to produce more gentle on skin soaps. In the early history,
soap is used for in the purpose of cleaning textile fibers such as wool and cotton in preparation
for the dyeing process instead of personal hygiene.

In the recent time, parallel to the progressive of the world of science and technology soap
in manufactured the same like it was produced back then where the fats and oils are technically
heated with the presence of strong base such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide to
produce fatty acid salts and glycerol in process known as saponification process. Fatty acid salt is
basically is the soap which is a soft and waxy chemical that has the ability of removing the stains
on clothes or other surfaces. During the saponification process, the positive ions as known as
cations (Na+ or K+) and negatively charge ions (anions) will be yielded by the hydrolysis of
either animals or vegetables fats.

Soap is a generic term for the sodium or potassium salts of long-chain organic acids
(fatty acids) made from naturally occurring esters in animal fats and vegetable oils. All organic
acids contain the RCO2H functional group, where R is shorthand notation for methyl, CH3-,
ethyl CH3CH2-, propyl, CH3CH2CH2-, or more complex hydrocarbon chains called alkyl
groups. Chemists use the R shorthand notation because these groups can be very large and the
hydrocarbon chain has little effect on the compound's chemical reactivity. All esters contain the
RCO2R functional group.

4
 The R groups in soaps are hydrocarbon chains that generally contain 12 to 18 carbon
atoms. Sodium fatty acids such as lauric (vegetable oil), palmitic (palm oil), and stearic (animal
fat) acids are just a few examples of soaps.

CH3(CH2)10COONa Sodium laurate

CH3(CH2)16COONa Sodium stearate

The hydrocarbon chain in soaps may contain saturated (no double bonds) or unsaturated
(contains double bonds) chains. Sodium salts are usually solid therefore; most bars of soap are of
sodium salts. Potassium salts are the basis of liquid soaps, shaving creams, and greases. Fats and
vegetable oils are triglycerides. Triglycerides are esters derived from three fatty acids. A
triglyceride made from three lauric acid molecules is shown in Figure 2-1.

Saponification is the basic hydrolysis of an ester producing a carboxylic acid salt and an
alcohol (Eq.2-1). A lone pair of electrons on the OH- is attracted to the partially positively
charged C atom in the C=O bond in the ester. The C-OR' bond breaks generating a carboxylic
acid (RCO2H) and an alcohol (R'OH). In the presence of NaOH carboxylic acids are converted
to their sodium salts (RCO2-Na+).

When a triglyceride is saponified, three fatty acid salts (soaps) and glycerol are produced
as shown in Equation 2-2. The R groups in the triglyceride may or may not have the same chain
length (same number of carbons). Thus, different types of soaps may be produced from the
saponification of a particular triglyceride.

5
Figure 2-1: A Triglyceride molecule made from lauric acid and glycerol

(Equation 2-1)

(Equation 2-2)

6
 3.0 OBJECTIVES

 To prepare soap by following the saponification process. Besides, the experiment

is conducted to study and compare the properties between the soap and synthetic
detergent in the form of precipitation, emulsification and also cleaning abilities.

7
 4.0 THEORY

From lab engineering chemical lab:-

Soap is a mixture of sodium salts of various naturally occurring fatty acids. Air bubbles
added to a molten soap will decrease the density of the soap thus it will float on the water. If the
fatty acid salt has potassium rather than sodium, a softer lather is the result. This is because the
bar soap produced in the presence of sodium hydroxide while the liquid soap is formed in the
presence of potassium hydroxide. Soap is the salt of a weak acid. Most organic acids arc weak
acids. Consequently, hydrolysis occurs to some extent when soap dissolves in water. Soap
solutions tend to be slightly alkaline (basic) due to partial hydrolysis of the acid. Theoretically,
the soap is produced by a saponification or basic hydrolysis reaction of a fat or oil. Currently,
sodium carbonate or sodium hydroxide is used to neutralize the fatty acid and convert it to the
salt.

(Equation 4-1)

The cleansing action of soaps results from two effects. Soaps are wetting agents that
reduce the surface tension of water, allowing the water molecules to encounter the dirty object.
They are also emulsifying agents. "Dirt" frequently consists of a grease or oil along with other
organic species. In general, organic compounds are nonpolar. Water is a polar species. These two
substances will not dissolve in each other because of their dissimilar characteristics (the "Like
Dissolves Like" rule). Soaps cross the boundary between polar and nonpolar because they
contain a polar hydrophobic (water-hating) end and a polar hydrophilic (water loving) end as
shown in figure (4-1).

8
Figure 4-1: a) A molecular line drawing and b) a skeletal representation of sodium stearate.

Soaps have both polar and nonpolar molecular regions; hence they are soluble in both polar and
nonpolar species. The hydrophobic (nonpolar) portion of soap is soluble in non-polar compounds
like grease and oils and the hydrophilic (polar) end dissolves in water. Soap molecules surround
grease and oils and break them up into microscopic droplets, which can remain suspended in
water. These suspended microscopic droplets are called micelles (Figure 4-2). Micelles contain
very small amounts of oil or grease in their center. Thus oil or grease dissolved in water forms an
emulsion; a form of suspension in water.

Figure 4-2: Formation of micelle

9
 Water supplies in certain areas are acidic as a result of acid rain or pollution, or "hard"
due to dissolved mineral content. Both acidic and "hard" water reduce the cleansing action of
soap. Soap is the salt of a weak acid and in the presence of a stronger acid, the sodium salt is
converted to an insoluble organic acid (Equation 4-2).

(Equation 4-2)

"Hard water" contains dissolved Ca2+, Mg2+ and Fe 3+ ions from the minerals that the water
passes over. Normally, soaps made from sodium and potassium fatty acid salts are soluble in
water. However, in the presence of these metal ions, the Na+ and K+ convert to insoluble Ca2+,
Mg2+ and Fe 3+ salts (Equation 4-3).

(Equation 4-3)

10
 In either acidic or "hard" water, the soluble soaps form insoluble salts which leave
scummy rings on bathtubs and black areas on shirt collars. The cleansing ability of soap is
reduced because soap molecules are removed from solution. There are several techniques used to
circumvent the problems generated by hard water. Water can be "softened" via removing hard
water ions from solution using ion exchange techniques or by adding water-softening agents,
such as sodium phosphate (Na3PO4) or sodium carbonate (Na2CO3). Water-softening agents
react with the Ca2+, Mg2+ and Fe 3+ removing them from water (Equations 4-4 and 4-5) and
preventing the reaction of these ions with soap (Equations 4-2 and 4-3).

3Ca2+(aq) + 2 PO43- (aq) → Ca3(PO4)2 (S) (Equation 4-4)

Mg2+(aq) + CO32- (aq) → MgCO3 (S) (Equation 4-5)

Thus “Syndets” were developed to overcome the soap “hard water” problem. Syndets
differ from soaps in that the nonpolar fatty acids groups are replaced with alkyl or aryl sulfonic
acids (ROSO3H). The alkyl or aryl sulfonic acids have long hydrophobic carbon chains and a
hydrophilic sulfonate end. The difference in polar groups is one of the key distinctions between a
soap and a synthetic detergent. Syndets form micelles and cleanse in the same manner as soaps.
Two examples of synthetic detergents are shown in Figure (4-3).

Figure 4-3: Examples of synthetics detergent

11
 Sulfonic acids are stronger than carboxylic acids, hence Syndets do not precipitate in
acidic solutions. Furthermore, alkyl and aryl sulfonates do not form insoluble salts in the
presence of typical hard water ions. Thus, synthetic detergents remain soluble in both acidic and
"hard" water.

Overall theory in these experiment is in the other words, soap is a generic term for the
sodium or potassium salts of long-chain organic acid which is fatty acid that are made from
naturally occurring esters in animal fats and also the vegetable oils. All organic acid contain the
RCOOH functional group, where R is the shorten notation for the complex hydrocarbon which
famously known as alkyl group. The term for R is used because the group can be very large and
for the addition for each chain has a litter effect for the chemical reactivity. While for the ester it
contains RCOOR functional group.

A soap is the sodium or potassium salt of a long chain fatty acid. The fatty acid usually
contains 12 to 18 carbon atoms which can be expressed as term R. Furthermore, the hydrocarbon
chain in the soap may contain saturated and unsaturated chains. Sodium salts are usually solid
therefore; most bars of soap are sodium salts. While potassium salts are the basis of liquid soaps,
shaving cream, and greases. Triglyceride is formed by the combination of three molecules of
fatty acid which are fats and vegetable oils. Triglycerides included in the ester group which is
RCOOR which derived from three fatty acids. A triglyceride made from three lauric acid
molecules which have shown as below:

General overall hydrolysis reaction:

Fat + NaOH glycerol + sodium salts/ fatty acid

12
 Figure 4-4: The Hydrolysis of Triglyceride

For the figure above, it formed by the saponification of a triglyceride with the sodium
hydroxide. Actually, saponification is a process that produces soap usually from fats and lye. In
the other words, saponification involves base hydrolysis of triglycerides, which are esters of fatty
acid to produce a product which is sodium salt of a carboxylate. Besides, saponification
processes also produce glycerol.

The mechanism by which esters are cleaved by base involves nucleophilic acyl substitution.
Then the hydroxide anion, OH- adds to attacks the carbonyl group of the ester. Then the
intermediate product is formed is orthoester.

Figure 4-5: the Mechanism of Ester (1)

13
 At this stage, the alkoxide is more basic than the conjugate base of the carboxylic acid,
and hence the proton is transfer rapidly and directly it form a stable carboxylic acid compound.

Figure 4-6: The Mechanism of Ester (2)

After that, it continues by reaction between the RCOOH with the alkoxide anion and then
formed a product of carboxylic anion and a alcohol. But with the presence of NaOH, the
carboxylic acids are converted to their sodium salts which is RCOO- Na+.

The saponification of triglyceride produced 3 fatty acid which is soap and the glycerol
but the alkyl group in the triglyceride may or may not have the same chain length which known
as the number of carbons.

Figure 4-7: The Hydrolysis of Triglyceride

14
 Since the cleansing action of soaps depend upon the fact that they ionize readily in
water,. Thus, the soap would no longer clean and emulsify the oil and dirt. This is because due to
the hard water contain metal cations such as Ca2+ and Mg2+ that will react with the charged
ends of the soaps and directly form the insoluble salts.

As the conclusion, the synthetic detergent was developed to overcome this kind of
problems. The difference in polar groups is one of the key distinctions between a soap and a
synthetic detergent. The synthetic detergent form micelles and cleanse in the same manner as
soaps but if it released into rivers and lakes it can cause explosive growth of algae. Thus, it can
cause decay of the aquatic ecosystem due to deoxygenating from the decomposition of dead
algae.

A micelle is a spherical shape that is formed resulting from the negatively charged heads on the
soap molecules. They then orient between them, where the non-polar tails rearrange towards the
center of the micelle and then the hydrophilic site facing the water. In the presence of oil and
dirt, the non-polar head interact with them and gathered it to the center of the micelle. In fact,
this is how mechanisms the soap works. When rinsed with water, the micelle together with the
dirt washed away. Soap is theoretically acting as an emulsifying agent, where emulsion is the
dispersion of a liquid in a second immiscible liquid.

Figure 4-8: The Micelle of The Soap

15
 The structure below is a sodium lauryl sulfonate that contain in the synthetic detergent. In
facts the sulfonic acids are stronger than carboxylic acids, hence the synthetic detergent does not
form any precipitate in the acidic solution. Besides, in the hard water, the detergent do not form
insoluble salts compare with the soap. As a conclusion, the synthetic detergents remain soluble in
both acidic and hard water.

Figure 4-9: The Structure for Synthetic Detergent

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 5.0 APPARATUS AND MATERIAL

Material used:-
1. Vegetable oil
2. Ethanol
3. 6M Sodium hydroxide
4. Saturated Sodium Chloride (NaCl)
5. Synthetic detergent (dynamo)
6. Mineral oil
7. 1% CaCl2 solution
8. 1% FeCl2 solution
9. Tomato sauce
10. Distilled water
11. 1M hydrochloric acid
12. Ice bath

Apparatus used:-
1. 250-mL Erlenmeyer flask
2. Vacuum filtration apparatus
3. Beaker
4. Test tube
5. Test tube rack
6. Cloth strip
7. Measuring cylinder
8. Dropper
9. Glass rod
10. pH paper
11. Retort stand
12. Clamp
13. Petric dish
14. Mass weight electronic

17
 6.0 METHODOLOGY

6.1. Part A, Soap preparation

1. 12.5 mL of vegetable oil is placed inside the Erlenmeyer flask. 10 mL of

ethanol and 12.5 mL of 6M sodium hydroxide solution are added into the flask.
The mixture is then stirred by using glass rod until well-mixed.
2. The mixture inside the flask is double boiled inside a 600 mL beaker.
3. The mixture is continuously stirred during the heating process to prevent the
formation of foam. When the foam is formed to the point of overflowing, the flask
is removed from the boiling water bath until the foaming subsides, then the
heating process is continued. The mixture is heated for 20 – 30 minutes or until
the alcohol odor is no longer detectable. The alcohol is carefully smelled by
wafting the vapor towards nose.
4. The paste-like mixture is removed from the boiling water bath and the
mixture is cooled inside an ice bath for 10 – 15 minutes.
5. The vacuum filtration apparatus is assembled while waiting for the mixture
to be cooled. The vacuum flask is secured with a utility clamp to prevent the
apparatus from toppling over.
6. A piece of filter paper is weighted to the nearest 0.001g and the mass is
recorded. The filter paper is then placed inside the Buchner Funnel. The filter
paper is moistened with water so that fits flush in the bottom of the funnel.
7. Once the flask is cooled, 75 mL of saturated sodium chloride (NaCl) solution
is added to the flask to “salt out” the soap.
8. The vacuum is turned on and the mixture is slowly poured into the Buchner
funnel. The opening is covered with filter paper or palm to speed up the filtration
process. Once all the liquid is filtered through the funnel, the soap is washed with
10 mL of iced-cold water. The filtration process is continued until all the water is
removed from the soap.
9. The soap is then removed from the funnel and pressed it between two paper
towels to dry it. The dried soap and the filter paper is weighted together and the

18
 mass is recorded to the nearest 0.001g and the mass of the dried soap is
determined by difference and the mass is recorded.
10. The finished soap is kept inside a container and it is placed inside the
desiccator to reduce more moisture content.

6.2. Part B, Comparison of The Soap and The Detergent Properties (Precipitation and
Emulsifying)

1. A stock soap solution is prepared by dissolving 2g of soap prepared earlier in

100 mL of boiling distilled water. The mixture is stirred until the soap has
dissolved completely and the solution is allowed to cool.
2. Step 1 is repeated by using 2g of liquid synthetic detergent (Dynamo). When
both solutions are cooled, the pH of both solutions is measured by using pH
paper.
3. Three test tubes are labeled as 1,2 and 3. 4 drops of mineral oil is dropped
inside each test tube. 5 mL of distilled water is added into test tube 1, 5 mL of
soap stock solution is added into test tube 2 and 5 mL of synthetic detergent
stock solution into test tube 3.
4. Each solution on each test tube is mixed by shaking and let them stand for
three to five minutes. Each test tube is observed for any emulsifies of oil by
forming a single layer. The data is recorded.
5. The mixtures are poured into the waste container. Three test tubes are cleaned
and dried.
6. 2 mL of soap stock solution is added inside three test tubes. 2 mL of 1%
CaCl2 solution is added to test tube 1. 2 mL of 1% MgCl2 solution is added into
test tube 2. 2 mL od 1% FeCl2 solution to test tube 3. Each test tubes are then
shake to mix the solution. Observation is recorded.
7. 4 drops of mineral oils are added to each of the test tubes in step 6. Each test
tube is shaken to mix the solutions and the solutions are left to stand for three to
five minutes. The solutions, if any that emulsifies the oil by forming a single
layer are noted.

19
 8. Step 6-7 is repeated using 2 mL of stock detergent solution. The solutions that
precipitated are observed.
9. The solution, if any that emulsifies the oil by forming a single layer is noted.
10. The mixtures are poured into the Waste Container. The test tube are cleaned
and dried.
11. 5 mL of stock soap solution is poured in cine clean test tube and 5 mL of
stock detergent solution in a second test tube. 1M HCl is added one drop at a
time to both solutions until the pH in each tube is equal to 3. The number of
drops of acid added to each mixture is counted. Any precipitate formed in either
mixture is observed.
12. 1 drop of mineral oil is added to each test tube in step 11. Each test tube is
shaken to mix the solution. Any emulsification formed in either mixture is
observed

6.3 PART C: COMPARISON OF CLEANING ABILITIES OF SOAP AND

DETERGENT.

1. The three beakers are cleaned, dried and labeled. Then 20 mL of stock soap
solution that from step 1 is placed in the first beaker. After that, 20 mL of stock
detergent solution from step 2 is placed in the second beaker. 20 mL of tap water
is added in a third beaker.
2. Three cloth test strips that have been soaked in tomato sauce are obtained and
then one strip is placed in each of the beakers. Repeatedly, each solution is stirred
with a stirrer bar for 5 minutes.
3. The cloth strips is removed from the soap and detergent solution and then the
excess water is squeezed out. Each cloth strip is observed and compared to
determine their relative cleanliness.

20
 7.0 RESULTS AND CALCULATIONS

7.1 A. Soap Preparations

Mass of Filter (g) 0.478

Mass of filter paper + soap (g) 19.900

Mass of Soap recovered (g) 19.422

7.2 B. Comparison of soap and detergent properties.

Test (1) : The comparison of the pH value of soap and detergent.

Brand name o synthetic detergent Dynamo

pH of soap solution 11.0

pH of synthetic detergent solution 7.5

Name of the sample Soap prepared Dynamo

Mass 2.0 g 2.0 g

pH value 11.0 7.5

Conclusion:
The prepared soap is more basic compared to dynamo because the pH value of prepared soap is
higher than dynamo which is 11.0 for prepared soap and 7.5 for dynamo (synthetic detergent).

21
Test (2) : The comparison of emulsification of soap and detergent.

Name Test 1 Test 2 Test 3

Sample Distilled water Soap stock solution Synthetic detergent
stock solution
Test 4 drops of mineral oil 4 drops of mineral oil 4 drops of mineral oil
+ 5 mL of distilled + 5 mL of soap stock + 5 mL of synthetic
water solution detergent stock
solution
Observation The solution forms 2 The solution become The solution is white
layers. The bottom half cloudy and only in color and form a
layer is colorless forms a single layer single layer solution.
water layer and the solution.
top layer is the
mineral oil.
Emulsification Yes No No

22
Emulsification can be described as the solution forms not a single layer solution after mixed.
Thus based on the test above, it can be concluded that the emulsification had occurring in the
distilled water and mineral oil mixture. However, the emulsification is not occurring inside the
Soap stock solution and synthetic detergent stock solution as only single layer formed after
mixed with the mineral oil.

System Emulsification occurred

Distilled water Yes
Soap No
Detergent No

7.3 C. Hard and Acidic

Test (3) : The comparison of properties of soap and detergent in hard solution

The solution of soap stock solution with (1) The solution of synthetic detergent stock
CaCl2, (2) MgCl2, (3) FeCl2 solution with (1) CaCl2, (2) MgCl2, (3) FeCl2

23
 System Precipitate Oil emulsified
Soap Synthetic Soap Synthetic
detergent detergent
2 mL CaCl2 + 4 drops of Colorless No precipitate No Yes
mineral oil with white , the color
precipitate changed to
pale blue
2 mL MgCl2 + 4 drops of Milky with No No Yes
mineral oil white precipitate,
precipitate the color
changed to
pale blue
2 mL FeCl2 + 4 drops of Orange in No No Yes
mineral oil solution and precipitate,
have orange the color
precipitate changed to
orange color
2 mL acidic solution + 4 No precipitate No precipitate Yes Yes
drops of mineral oil but there is
dark orange
clump formed

24
 Based on the test above, the soap has the precipitate of properties if compare
with the synthetic detergent that does not formed any precipitate although react
with CaCl2, MgCl2 nor FeCl2.

 From the result above, we can observe that when soap mixed with CaCl2, the
soap solution change to colorless with the present of white precipitate and oil
emulsion mean while the synthetic detergent change color into pale blue and have
oil emulsified.

 When mixed with MgCl2, the soap become milky solution and also presence
the white precipitate while but no emulsion of oil .But, for the synthetic detergent
only change pale blue color and consist oil emulsification in the form of 1 layers.

 The soap changes into orange color in solution with the presence of orange
precipitate and no emulsion of oil. But, compare to the synthetic detergent does
not form any precipitate it only change into yellowish color and also have oil
emulsion.

 Lastly, when the soap is mixed with the acidic solution, there is no precipitate
form but a clump in dark orange color. For the synthetic detergent, there is no
precipitate form also.

25
 Test (4) : The comparison of soap and synthetic detergent in acidic solution by
using 1M of HCl solution.

Sample Soap Synthetic detergent

Initial pH 11.0 7.5

Final pH 3 3

Drops of 1M HCl 9 drops 1 drop

 For the test in the acidic solution we can observe that the soap has a high
value of pH reading compare with the synthetic detergent

7.4 : Cleaning comparison of soap and detergent

Test (5) : Cleaning comparison of a soap and detergent

The cleaning ability of:-

1. Synthetic detergent solution
2. Synthetic detergent
3. Soap

26
 1 2 3

Samples Synthetic detergent Soap Synthetic detergent

solution
Cleanliness Slightly clean Clean Very clean

 For the test above, it more concentrate to determine the relative cleanliness for the tap
water, synthetic detergent and soap.

 Based on experiment conducted, the synthetic detergent shown the high relative
cleanliness compare with the soap and the synthetic detergent solution.

 The relative cleanliness can be concluded as:

Synthetic detergent solution < soap < synthetic detergent

27
 8.0 DISCUSSION

This experiment was performed successfully and the objective was achieved. The
objective of this experiment is to prepare soap and compare its properties with a synthetic
detergent. There are 3 parts in these experiments. The preparation of soap, the comparison of
properties of soap and synthetic detergent based on their precipitation and emulsification and
the comparison of cleaning abilities of soap and synthetic detergent. In this experiment, for the
part B and part C there are 5 tests for two of the cleaning agents (soap and syndets).Part B only
have 4 tests which is test 1, 2, 3 and 4.But for part C is test 5.

After the preparation of soap in this experiment (part A), will followed by the (part
B).This procedure was conducted to compare the soap properties with the synthetic detergent by
observing the precipitation and emulsification that occurs. For this process, we are using the soap
produced in the first procedure in part A. The soap is prepared by following the saponification
process where fatty acid carboxylate ions are formed in the present of strong base which is
sodium hydroxide, NaOH. Then, these carboxylate ions are the conjugate bases of the fatty acids
therefore, it is able to accept a proton to formed a stable compound. When it is placed in water,
these conjugate bases are able to accept the proton from any sources including the water.

For test 1, this experiment is about to test the comparison of the pH value of soap and
detergent . The pH value for the soap prepared is 11.0 and for the synthetic detergent are 7.5.
Therefore, soap prepared is more basic compared to synthetic detergent.

For the test 2, comparison of emulsification of soap and detergent is conducted

.Emulsification in test 2 ,occurred only for test in distilled water. However for soap and synthetic
detergent solution there is no emulsification occurred. Emulsification can be described as the
solution that formed double layer after mixed.

28
 For part B , the test is conducted to compare the properties of soap and detergent in hard
solution , it represents the water condition is in “hard water” which contains Ca2+, Mg2+ and Fe
3+ ions. The experiment was conducted using 3 different test tubes. By using the prepared soap,
precipitate form in three of the test tubes. This is because the metal ions from the “hard water”
will cause the soap to form an insoluble salt. That’s why the water does not mix with the soap
and forming precipitate.

Then, mineral oil is added to all of the three mixtures. In this process, the precipitate that
forms in the three of the tests are dissolved for the soap test. The hydrocarbon is hydrophobic
and soluble with grease or oil; micelles will still be form even though the metal ions causing the
soap to be insoluble with water. But, for the syndets tests, there are no precipitates and oil
emulsifications formed. Means, the syndet are suitable to be used in the “hard water”, so as the
function to remove any grease or oil from cloth, since the formation micelles occur. From the
observations obtained from the experiement, the soap form the precipitate in all of the solutions
added which are CaCl2, MgCl2 and FeCl2 as well emulsifies the oil. So that, this may not appear
as a good characteristics for the soap as the cleaning agent if there formed precipitate and
emulsifies oil on the cloth. In our daily day,what can applied is for the hard water, it can be
known as the water that consist of calcium ion, Ca2+ and magnesium ions, Mg2+. These ions are
leached from the ground water flowing over rock formations containing limestone and also other
minerals. Thus, the hard water interferes with the cleaning action of soap. That why when the
soap is react with the mineral ions that contain in the hard water, it will formed the precipitate.
So that, the precipitate leaves a deposit on clothes, skin and hair.

For the test 4 , it is to the compare the soap and synthetic detergent in acidic solution by
using 1M Hydrochloric Acid. For the soap solution test in acidic solution by using 1M
Hydrochloric Acid what can conclude is the initial pH of soap is 11.0 change to 3.0 which
required 9 drops of hydrochloric acid .However, the pH value for synthetic detergent solution is
changing from 7.5 to 3.0 after 1 drop of hydrochloric acid added. For the test in the acidic
solution we can observe that the soap has a high value of pH reading compare with the synthetic
detergent.

29
 For the part C in the final test (test 5), both of the cleaning agent are tested in the acidic
water condition. This experiment is conducted to determine the effectiveness of soap and
detergent in cleaning stain on the cloth strip. The cloth strips that have been soaked in tomato
sauce are put into the beaker containing soap solution in detergent solution. Both solutions are
Stirred repeatedly by using glass rod for 5 minutes. Then, the cloth strips is removed from the
soap and detergent solution and the excess of water is squeeze out. The observation obtained
from this experiment is the cloth strip that soaked in the detergent is more clean than in soap
solution and synthetic detergent solution. Thus the relative cleanliness can be conclude

Synthetic detergent solution < soap < synthetic detergent

Based on the theory, detergent is more effective cleaning agent than the soap as it is
effective in both hard and soft water. It is because detergent contains one or more surfactants that
increase cleanliness. Surfactants is defined as surface active agents which functioned to modify
the surface of the liquid it is dissolved in, reducing the surface tension and allowing oils and
water to mix. As we know, water is the liquid commonly used for cleaning which has a property
called surface tension. In the body of water, each molecule is surrounded and attracted by other
water molecules. At the surface, those molecules are surrounded by other water molecules only
on the water side. A tension is created as the water molecules at the surface are pulled into the
body of the water. This tension causes water to beat up on surfaces which slows wetting of the
surface and inhibits the cleaning process. Therefore, more surfactants can reduce more surface
tension and increase the cleaning process.

However, soap is also a good cleaning agent but the effectiveness of the soap will decrease as it
used in hard water. Hardness in water is caused by the presence of the mineral salts such as
calcium, magnesium, iron and manganese. These mineral salts will react with the soap and
forming an insoluble precipitate known as soap film or scum. The presence of the scum will
decrease the effectiveness of soap as it tends to remain behind and deposits on the cloth. This
reduces the amount of soap available for cleaning. Thus, soap is less effective than detergent in
cleaning process.

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 Therefore, as the result of this experiment is vice versa, experimental accepted during
conducting this experiment. The synthetic detergents have undeniably replaced soap for many
cleaning jobs around the home. Thus, the development of synthetic detergent by chemist actually
was a great advantage for people with relatively hard tap water in their homes. The synthetic
detergent have the advantages compare to the soap, but there is a significant issue regarding the
use of synthetic detergent that is the biodegradability of some of its components.

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 9.0.CONCLUSION

In conclusion, followed by the objectives of the experiment which are to prepare the soap
and used to compare the properties of soap and detergent which are precipitation, emulsification
and cleaning abilities. Thus, the soap is successfully prepared and all the comparison of
properties had been observed and recorded.

For the test 1 ,the experiment actually want to determine the comparison of oil
emulsification for the 3 types of sample which are distilled water, soap solution and finally the
synthetic detergent. From the observation, the distilled water emulsified the oil meanwhile the
synthetic detergent and soap did not emulsified the mineral oil by forming a single layer
mixture.

The pH value of the soap produced are higher that the synthetic detergent. Thus, this
shows that the soap is more alkali.

 Soap and synthetic detergent are soluble in water due to the presents of Hydrophilic polar
end of the atomic structure.
 Soap is not suitable to be used in “hard water”. It is because the presents of metal ions
making the soap become insoluble in water.
 By using soap in “hard water”, micelles will still occur due to the Hydrocarbon of the
soap structure.
 Soap is not suitable to be used in acidic water.
 The syndets are suitable to be used in “hard water” and also acidic water since the
syndets are remains soluble in the solution.

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 10.0.RECOMMENDATIONS

There are a few recommendations that will significantly produce better observations which will
not deviate much from the theoretical observations.

 Wear the gloves that have been provided when conduct the experiment to avoid any error
occurs because the tip of our fingers is acidic.
 During filling the solution of mixture putting the paper to the same level of solution at the
back of measuring cylinder and flask to avoid the parallax error.
 Before conduct the experiment, make sure all apparatus in good condition especially the
pH electrode and pH meter. Rinsed complete the pH electrode before used it to read the
other pH of the solution using distilled water to neutralize to get accurate result.
 All steps in the procedure should be following to get accurate result.
 The more important thing is use safety equipment and avoids any contact with any
chemical reagents involved.
 Make sure the apparatus in the stable position.
 Take alert for any recorded change of result in the condition of physical condition likes
the color changes and other. Tabulated the data.
 Repeat the experiment for a few times to get a better and accurate result.

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 11.0.REFERENCES

 Engineering Chemistry Lab (CHE 485).

 Chemistry The Central Science 11th edition, Pearson International Edition (2009);
BROWN, LeMAY, BURSTEN, MURPHY.
 Mithu Majumdar. (2012). Cleansing Actionof Soap. Retrieved May 19,2013, from
http://education.fapsnewdelhi.net/cleansing-action-of-soap/
 Organic Chemistry(third editions), R.T.Morrison & R.N.Boyd,1973, Allyn and
Bacon,Boston.
 http://www.algebralab.org/passage/passage.aspx?file=Chemistry_Soaps.xml date accesed
1/6/2013.
 AUS-e-TUTE .(n.d).Chemistry Tutorial : Soaps and Saponification. Retrieved May
19,2013, from http://www.ausetute.com.au/soaps.html
 Charles E. Ophardt. (2003). Soap. Retrieved May 19,2013, from
http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/554soap.html

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 12.0.APPENDIX

(a) Soap stock solution (b) Synthetic detergent stock solution

(c) Clump formed in acidic test (d) pH paper used to test the pH
with soap solution of both solutions
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