Q. 15.35 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

Use condensed structural formulas to write the balanced chemical equation for the $\mathrm{NaOH}$ saponification of glyceryl trimyristate (trimyristin).

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The balanced chemical equation for glyceryl trimyristate $NaOH$ saponification is:

Step1: Introduction.

Fats, waxes, sterols, triglycerides, and other naturally occurring molecules are examples of lipids.

Triglycerides are lipids that comprise glycerol bound to three fatty acids, such as fats and oils. The carbon chain in fatty acid is long and unbranched, with a carboxylic acid end group. 

Step2: Given Information.

Write the balanced chemical equation for the $NaOH$ saponification of glyceryl trimyristate using condensed structural formulas (trimyristin).

Step3: Explanation.

When fatty acids are heated in the presence of a strong base, such as $NaOH,$ they produce glycerol and the sodium salt of the fatty acid, which is soap. This is known as the saponification reaction.

The balanced chemical equation for glyceryl trimyristate $NaOH$ saponification is: