Saponification

Saponification. Soaps (q.v.) consist of compounds of certain organic acids with the alkaline bases. The process by which the fats are broken up into the alcohol and acids of which they are formed during the soap-formation is known as saponification. It is, however, also extended to all other similar reactions in which an ethereal salt is broken up into its constituent acid and alcohol. Saponification may be induced by the action of acids or alkalies, and the rate at which it proceeds in different conditions has been the subject of much. investigation, and assisted greatly in the building up of the fabric of chemical dynamics.