Saponification, soaps and detergents, and the structure and uses of plastics

What this note covers

1. Fats and oils are triglycerides: esters of glycerol
2. Saponification: base hydrolysis of a fat
3. The structure of soaps and of anionic detergents
4. The cleaning action of soaps and detergents
5. Hard water: why soap scums and detergents do not
6. Plastics: how structure controls properties
7. Polyethene, PTFE, nylon and PET: properties and uses
8. How soaps, detergents and plastics are examined

8 sections · 12 key terms & formulas · 6 common mistakes