[JMiller]

In order to basify an oil, should it be dissolved in a suitable solvent before dumping into the base solution?

I tried basifying by dumping direct into an 35% NaOH solution, but after extraction the pH had only moved to 7.8

thanks for the help

[Doc Oc]

"Oil" is very non-descript, as it is a physical state of many different compounds.  What is the compound you are trying to make basic?  One of the key problems will be its solubility in various solvents.  If it's very lipophilic you will not be able to make it alkaline using aqueous NaOH (which may be the case with yours).  You will need to resort to an organic base like triethylamine.

[JMiller]

I know for a fact that the compound is very soluble in MeOH.
Just wanted to understand whether dissolving a compound first in a solvent is vital to preparing it for basification.

actually, compound is also 100% soluble in water, so direct to NaOH sol. should work too....

[Doc Oc]

Upon further evaluation of your original question, I have more questions.

1) Can you tell me what the compound is?  If it's a carboxylic acid vs an alcohol that will dramatically change its properties and what you can use to basify it

2) What extraction procedure did you use and why?  If it has high water solubility you won't be able to extract it from a 35% NaOH solution.

3) What is the purpose of making it basic?  Is it for a reaction or for some type of analytical sample?