No soap today! Colorful, bright, beautiful. There is a transparent one, in which patterns or fruits, different images are temptingly visible. Very popular types for children, which are made in the form of their favorite cartoon characters, cute animals and other characters. In general, soap makers are trying their best. But what is this product from the inside? What is its chemical composition, when did it appear and how is it obtained? Let's try to figure it out.
Chemical soap base
Scientifically, this product is the result of alkaline hydrolysis of oils or fats. For the first time, Michel Chevrel, a French chemist, guessed that soaps and fats have something in common in their composition. He devoted almost his entire life to the study of higher carboxylic acids. Therefore, he is credited for theoretically explaining the composition of fats, and hence soap.
Chevrel said that if the highest trihydric alcohol glycerol, containing three hydroxo groups, reacts with an acid, the general formula of which is R-COOH, then triglycerides, esters of acids, will form as a result. They will be fat. If the reaction is carried out in an alkaline medium, then the resulting productwill react with NaOH (KOH) to form soap.
Later, these theoretical conclusions were reinforced by Berthelot's experiments in the laboratory. Typically, the composition of different soaps includes the following components:
- water;
- oleic acid;
- naphthenic acids;
- stearic;
- palmitic;
- rosin;
- sodium or potassium hydroxide.
Therefore, the chemical formula of soap is conditionally written as follows: R-COOMe, where R is a radical containing from 8 to 20 or more carbon atoms. Me is a metal, alkali or alkaline earth.
If we talk about a common household product used for washing clothes, then the soap formula would look something like this: C17H35-COONa. Includes:
- stearic acid;
- caustic soda;
- rosin;
- water;
- sometimes coconut oil is used.
In different countries, the production of this type of product occurs in different ways, so most often the result differs in composition, in color, in the quality of washing. Thus, the very formula of soap becomes clear. Chemistry gives the following definition to this product: these are s alts of higher carboxylic acids, including alkali or alkaline earth metals.
It should be noted that the products are very different in terms of aggregate state, transparency, smell and other organoleptic parameters. It all depends on the chemical composition and production method.
Liquid soap formula
Very popular in recent times as a detergent option are liquid products. It is convenient, it seems that it is more gentle for the skin of the hands and aesthetically pleasing for the bathroom shelf. Therefore, liquid soap is one of the most common types of these s alts. How do they differ from solid ones and why such a difference in aggregate states?
It turns out it's all about the metal cation that forms the compound, as well as the production technology. The formula of soap, which is liquid, conditionally looks like this: R-COOK. That is, the composition necessarily includes potassium ions. Accordingly, potassium hydroxide is involved in the production.
Main features of these products:
- viscosity;
- hygroscopicity;
- ductility;
- transparency;
- better solubility.
Hard soap
To get the product in a more traditional state of aggregation, you need to use soda lime or caustic soda in the manufacture. It should be pointed out that if Na ions are included in the composition, then the product turns out to be solid and nothing else. Lithium ions most often also form similar soaps.
Thus, the soap formula takes on a slightly different form: R-COONa, R-COOLi. From a chemical point of view, the quantitative composition and structure of substances does not change - soap corresponds to its nature, being s alts of carboxylic acids. Physical characteristics, organoleptic properties, external design areeverything is subject to change by the person himself, which is what people are actively doing.
Classification
Two bases can be identified for dividing the described substances into categories. The first sign of classification is the chemical basis in the manufacture. According to this criterion, they distinguish:
- core soap - fatty acids not less than 60% in the composition;
- semi-core - about 30%;
- glutinous - no higher than 47%.
With the chosen base, you can give the soap completely different options for external design. You can make it marble, transparent, with decorations and components built inside, colored and matte, and so on. The soap formula will also be expressed by the overall composition of R-COOMe, however, the product itself often also includes rosin and naphthenic acids, as well as sorbitol, table s alt, fragrances, dyes, preservatives, foaming agents and other compounds.
The second sign of classification is a household purpose. So, there are three varieties of the product.
- Toilet - used for cosmetic purposes for washing, washing the body. Should have good foaming ability, be soft and not cause irritation and dryness. To do this, fatty acids should not drop beyond 72% in the composition.
- Special - used in leather, textile, medicine and so on. Contains special technical additives.
- Household - designed for washing household items, laundry, cleaning and other household needs.
The formula of this kind of soap fromthe previous one is no different, it can also be transparent, matte, colored, and so on. The ratio of components varies depending on the destination.
Industrial production
Manufacture of soap on a large scale is carried out in special soap factories. There, according to pre-planned and lined technologies and designs, the production of a huge number of copies of the product, both solid and liquid, has been launched. The main technological chains are as follows:
- neutralization reaction between soda ash and fat hydrolysis products (carboxylic acids);
- interaction with caustic soda or caustic soda;
- alkaline hydrolysis of triglycerides.
In any case, you can get different soaps according to their physical and chemical properties.
History of soap making
It is known that people knew about making soap more than 6 thousand years ago, that is, even before our era. In ancient Egypt, ash was boiled with the addition of fat and the desired product was obtained. This is how future generations continued to act for several centuries in a row.
In Europe, the production of soap was weakly intensive, since no one cared about the cleanliness of their bodies, it was considered shameful. And only since the 18th century soap-making reaches its peak. New simplified production technologies are invented, aromatic oils and emollients are included in the soap, it becomes more diverse and pleasant to use.
Handmade
How to make soapwith your own hands? Is it possible? The answer is unequivocal: yes, it is possible. Today, many people have made it their home business and are making very good money from it.
If you have a creative imagination, creativity and originality of thinking, dexterous hands, a desire and a room to work, then making soap will not be difficult at all.
Homemade soap technology
There are three main ways to prepare a product without leaving home.
- Purchase a special ready-made basis for production. This is a convenient, inexpensive and quick option, how to make soap with your own hands. This base will require only your imagination and the addition of the necessary flavors and dyes. It is plastic and easy to handle, it can be given any shape. Also, if desired, you can get a transparent product.
- Buy ready-made soap without fragrances, dyes and aromatic additives. For example, children. Then grind, melt in a water bath, and then proceed as in the first case.
- Cooking from scratch. The most dangerous in terms of safety and time-consuming process. Can be carried out according to any of the described industrial methods. However, it should be remembered that working with alkalis should be done with extreme caution. And not at home, but in a special room.
