In: Chemistry
When performing the hydrolysis of trimyristin with 1mL of 6M NaOH and 2mL water, why does this result in a slight purple solution?
basic hydrolysis (saponification) on trimyristin affords sodium myristic acid and glycerol. Now again the myristic acid reacts with base to give sodium myristate (sodium salt of ester). Trimyristin is a white to yellowish-gray solid, when converts to it carboxylate salt it undergoes hydrolysis to give basic solution, hence solution becomes more alkaline. Remeber weak acid conjugate base always basic. Phenolphthalein blocks the blue light spectrum when exposed to alkaline substances, producing a pink to purple hue.
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