Question

What is Saponification? Write a reaction to illustrate these phenomena.

Answer 1

When ester is treated with an alkali, the reaction gives ethanol and sodium ethanoate. This reaction is called saponification reaction because this reaction forms the basis of preparation of soap. 

This can be given by following equation: 

CH₃COOC₂H₅ + NaOH → CH₃COONa+C₂H₅0H