Timeline for Reasons for solid or liquid soap
Current License: CC BY-SA 3.0
3 events
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| Sep 1, 2017 at 13:40 | comment | added | Sam | The type of alkali metal used determines the kind of soap product. Sodium soaps, prepared from sodium hydroxide, are firm, whereas potassium soaps, derived from potassium hydroxide, are softer or often liquid. That's what Wikipedia says, but unfortunately there is not given any source to back up the statement. I can remember having read this in a textbook, but I don't know in which anymore. | |
| Sep 1, 2017 at 13:39 | comment | added | Sam | Thanks for your answer. The statement is based not only on anecdotal testimony but on experimental findings. I've tried the saponification with coconut fat using $\ce{KOH}$ and $\ce{NaOH}$ and the products were liquid respectively solid. Your objection with the sodium or potassium stearate is interesting, but according to PubChem potassium stearate is liquid. | |
| Aug 31, 2017 at 23:59 | history | answered | alphonse | CC BY-SA 3.0 |