Soap and Detergent

CONTENTS

meaning of soap
soap preparation process
meaning of detergent
detergent preparation process
cleansing action of soap and detergent
compare and contrast the effectiveness of the
cleansing action of soap and detergent
additives in detergent and their respective
functions

MEANING OF SOAP

General formula:
RCOONa+

or

RCOO K+

Example:
Sodium palmitate, CH3(CH2)14COO-K+
Potassium stearate, CH3(CH2)16COO-K+

SOAP PREPARATION PROCESS

Soaps are prepared by the alkaline hydrolysis of fats and oils. This
process is known as saponification.

Oil or fat

Alkali

Glycerol

Soaps

A by-product of this reaction is glycerol which is useful as in foods,

as an antifreeze, as a tobacco-moistening agent, and in the
manufacture of nitroglycerine and dynamite.

Saponification is the alkaline hydrolysis of ester using alkali solutions

Example:

MEANING OF DETERGENT

R OSO3alkyl sulphate ion

alkylbenzene sulphonate ion

DETERGENT PREPARATION
PROCESS
Preparation of sodium alkyl sulphate:
Step 1: Reaction with concentrated sulphuric acid

Step 2: Neutralisation with sodium hydroxide solution.

Preparation of sodium alkylbenzene sulphonate

Step 1 : Alkylation

Step 2 : Sulphonation

Step 3 : Neutralisation

Alkylation is the introduction of the alkyl group to an organic molecule

Sulphonation is the introduction of the sulphonic acid group, -SO3H to an organic molecule to form sulphonic acid

CLEANSING ACTION OF SOAP

AND DETERGENT

A piece of cloth with a greasy stain on it, is dipped in a soap or detergent solution.
Soap or detergent reduces the surface tension of water. This increases the wetting
ability of water. Therefore, the surface of the cloth is wetted thoroughly.
The hydrophobic part of the soap or detergent anion dissolves in the grease. The
hydrophilic part is attracted to the water molecules.
Mechanical agitation during scrubing helps pull the grease free and also break the
grease into small droplets.
The droplets do not coagulate and redeposit on the surface of the cloth due to the
repulsion between the negative charges on their surface. These droplets are
suspended in water forming an emulsion. Rinsing washes away these droplets and
leaves the surface clean.

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EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CLEANSING

ACTION OF SOAP AND DETERGENT
Characteristic

Soap

Detergent

Cleansing ability

Weaker

Stronger

Rinsing ability

difficult to rinse completely.

Soap that is left behind
damages the material

Rinses easily and completely out of

clothes and other objects.

Molecular structure

It can only be determined by

the structure of the fatty acid
used to produce soap

It can be modified to suit the job of

cleaning. For example, the formula
of a detergent can be specially made
to be able to clean dishes and other
utensils only

pH

Alkaline

Can be controlled to suit the type of

detergent required

Suspension

Forms scum in hard water

Does not form scum or any other

kinds of suspension in hard water

ADDITIVES USED IN DETERGENT AND

THEIR RESPECTIVE FUNCTIONS
Additives

Function

Biological enzymes
(amylase, lipase,
protease)

Break down fat and protein molecules in food stains to

produce fatty acids, glycerol and amino acids that are
soluble in water, thus increase the cleansing power of a
detergent

Whitening agents
(sodium perborate)

Remove stains, clothes become white and cleaner

Builders (sodium
tripolyphosphate)

Soften hard water by removing calcium ions, Ca2+ and

magnesium ions, Mg2+, increase the pH value of water

Brighteners

Make fabrics appear white and brighter

Drying agents (sodium

sulphate, sodium
silicate)

Ensure that the detergent in powdered form is always in a

dry condition

Stabilisers

Prevent the formation of foam

Perfumes

Make clothes smell fresh and clean