Which reaction conditions will turn olive oil into a soap?

• A. MeOH, H₂SO₄, heat
• B. NaOH, H₂O
• C. H₂ (excess), Pd/C
• D. H₂ (limited), Pd/C

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the process of saponification, which is the reaction of a fat or oil with a base to form glycerol and soap. Olive oil is a triglyceride, which is a type of fat.
2. Identify the functional groups in olive oil. Olive oil is primarily composed of triglycerides, which contain ester functional groups.
3. Recognize that saponification requires a strong base, such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH), to hydrolyze the ester bonds in the triglycerides.
4. Consider the reaction conditions: NaOH in the presence of water (H2O) will effectively hydrolyze the ester bonds in olive oil, leading to the formation of soap (sodium salts of fatty acids) and glycerol.
5. Evaluate the other options: Methanol (MeOH) with sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and heat is used for esterification, not saponification. Hydrogen (H2) with palladium on carbon (Pd/C) is used for hydrogenation, which is not relevant for soap formation.