Hydrolysis of naturally occurring esters

Fats and oils are esters of propane 1,2,3-triol (glycerol) with three long chain carboxylic acids. These acids are often known as fatty acids and the esters as triglycerides.

Fats occur in both plants and animals and are a source of energy in our diet. If the carboxylic acid groups are largely saturated, the ester is a solid fat; if the hydrocarbon chains are highly unsaturated, the ester is an oil. There is a better sale for solid fats than for oils and the conversionof oils to fats is a profitable business. It is accomplished by hydrogenation in the presence of a nickel catalyst.

These naturally occurring esters are readily hydrolysed. The alkaline hydrolysis (or saponification) of fats produces propane 1,2,3- triol (glycerol) and the sodium or potassium salt of the carboxylic acid. These salts are soaps.

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