Extracting Sodium Hydroxide from Soap

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Extracting sodium hydroxide (NaOH) from liquid soap is a topic of interest, particularly for testing purposes. It is noted that a solution derived from soap may primarily consist of a mixture of NaOH and potassium hydroxide (KOH), making it challenging to differentiate between the two due to their chemical similarities. Spectroscopy is suggested as a potential analytical method for distinguishing between these bases. However, if KOH is absent in the soap, testing for NaOH directly in the dissolved soap might be a more straightforward approach, eliminating the need for extraction.
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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?
 
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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.
 
qalomel, there is no koh in this soap
 
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?
 
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