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Chemistry Forums for Students => Organic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: mana on July 21, 2019, 10:03:38 AM

Title: KOH vs NaOH in soap making
Post by: mana on July 21, 2019, 10:03:38 AM

hi all
I have seen this text on a website, is it right?!! ???

"The molecular weight of potassium hydroxide is less then the molecular weight of sodium hydroxide, therefore, less sodium hydroxide is required then potassium hydroxide to saponify the same amount of fats or oils. Sodium hydroxide's molecular weight is only 40/56.1 of potassium hydroxide's weight.

Therefore, in order for the same amount of hydroxide ions to be incorporated into the soap making recipe, we need to take every Saponification value that reflects potassium hydroxide as the base and multiply it by 40/56.1 in order to get the sodium hydroxide Saponification value. This is truly an arduous process, to say the least."

Title: Re: KOH vs NaOH in soap making
Post by: Borek on July 21, 2019, 10:37:03 AM

Quote from: mana on July 21, 2019, 10:03:38 AM

The molecular weight of potassium hydroxide is less then the molecular weight of sodium hydroxide

No.

Quote

less sodium hydroxide is required then potassium hydroxide to saponify the same amount of fats or oils

Yes.