What products are generated by the alkaline saponification of a triglyceride using aqueous sodium hydroxide?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. One molecule of glycerol and three molecules of fatty acid carboxylate sodium salts (soaps)
Saponification is the base-catalyzed hydrolysis of the three ester linkages in a triacylglycerol (fat or oil). Reaction with aqueous NaOH produces one molecule of the triol glycerol (propane-1,2,3-triol) and three sodium salts of long-chain fatty acids (soaps).
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