Triglyceride Saponification (Soap Formation, Bioorganic Link): Mechanism + Exam Traps

Base-catalyzed ester hydrolysis of triglycerides yields glycerol + fatty acid salts (soap).

• Reaction: Triglyceride Saponification (Soap Formation, Bioorganic Link)
• What it does: Base-catalyzed ester hydrolysis of triglycerides yields glycerol + fatty acid salts (soap).
• Typical reagents: 3 eq NaOH, H2O; then workup
• Key intermediate: Tetrahedral intermediate
• Driving force: Formation of more stable bonds / products
• Exam type: Mechanism mapping
• Exam type: Predict products
• Exam type: Concept transfer to bio