[lewisdonner]

Hello Chemichal Forums
I have a question regarding the following reaction:

As I see it, the strong base OH- destoys the esterbonds in the triglyceride. The hydrogenatom of KOH goes to the "skeleton" of the triglyceridemolecule seperated by the broken esterbonds to form the glycerol, and the O- ion and K+ ion goes to the carboxylate-ion to form the potassium salt. This is how I make it work in the reaction, but I find it very odd that an o- ion exist like this.
It this the correct interpretation?

Thank you very much for any help

[Ben111]

It is opposit. OH- goes to the Glycerine and only K+ goes to the carboxyl rest.

[lewisdonner]

Oh so really the reaction is like this?

[rolnor]

The OH- attacks the carbonyl, acetate is not a leaving group.

[lewisdonner]

Thank you @Rolnor
So I can't illustrate it or describe it as simply as I have attempted to?
If the OH- attacks the carbonyl group, what is the result of this?

[kriggy]

@lewisdonner: Not really. The OH from the hydroxide ends up in the carboxylic acid. There might be some rather special cases when this is not true but I think they mostly deal with acidic hydrolysis not basic.

After addition of the OH- to the carbonyl, you get tetrahedral intermediate which then collapes and gives you the products. Wikipedia has a saponification page including the ilustration how the reaction works. I suggest you start there