Extracting Sodium Hydroxide from Soap

[g_midford]

is it possible to extract sodium hydroxide from liquid soap? i need to test the sodium hydroxide. if it is possible, how would i do it?

 

[qalomel]

A solution of bases extracted from soap will probably end up primarily as a mixture of NaOH and KOH. As Borek mentioned, it's not really possible to tell the difference between different bases, especially in this case since potassium and sodium in solution are so chemically similar to each other. The only way I can think of differentiating between the two analytically is through spectroscopy.

 

[g_midford]

qalomel, there is no koh in this soap

 

[qalomel]

If there's no KOH and assuming that there aren't any other bases aside from NaOH in the soap, can't you just test the NaOH directly in dissolved soap without extracting it?

 

[LudusRex]

Yes, it is possible to extract sodium hydroxide from liquid soap. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

1. Gather materials: You will need liquid soap, distilled water, a beaker or glass jar, a funnel, filter paper, and a heat source.

2. Dilute the soap: In order to extract the sodium hydroxide, the soap needs to be in a more concentrated form. To do this, mix the soap with an equal amount of distilled water in the beaker or glass jar.

3. Heat the mixture: Place the beaker or glass jar on a heat source and heat the mixture until it starts to boil. This will help to separate the soap and the sodium hydroxide.

4. Filter the mixture: After the mixture has cooled, pour it through a funnel lined with filter paper. This will separate the soap from the sodium hydroxide.

5. Evaporate the water: Pour the filtered liquid into a clean beaker and heat it on a low heat source until most of the water has evaporated. This will leave behind a concentrated solution of sodium hydroxide.

6. Test the sodium hydroxide: You can test the sodium hydroxide by using a pH indicator or by performing a titration experiment. This will determine the concentration of the sodium hydroxide in the solution.

It is important to note that extracting sodium hydroxide from liquid soap can be a dangerous process and should only be done by trained professionals in a controlled laboratory setting. It is also important to handle sodium hydroxide with caution as it is a strong base and can cause chemical burns.