Soap-making is a reaction between compounds found in animal fats and?

Soap-making, also known as saponification, is a process that involves the reaction of fats or oils, which are typically obtained from animal or plant sources, with an alkali, such as sodium hydroxide (lye) or potassium hydroxide. When these compounds are combined, they undergo a chemical reaction that results in the formation of soap (fatty acid salts) and glycerol as a byproduct.

In other words, the reaction in soap-making occurs between triglycerides (the main components of fats or oils) and sodium or potassium hydroxide. During the process, the hydroxide ions from the alkali break down the triglyceride molecules into individual fatty acids and glycerol. The fatty acids then combine with the alkali metal ions to form soap molecules, while the glycerol is separated as a by-product.