Contextualization

Organic salts are ionic compounds resulting from an acid-base reaction in which the anion is an organic acid and the cation is usually an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal. They play an important role in biochemistry, medicine, and industry, as well as being essential in some forms of life. Several organic salts have significant applications in our daily lives, although we are not always aware of it.

In nature, organic salts perform a series of essential functions for life. For example, carboxylic acid salts are critical components in biology. They are commonly found in soaps and detergents, where they contribute to the solubilization of fatty substances in an aqueous medium. Additionally, they are widely used in the food industry as preservatives, acidulants, and flavor enhancers.

Given their importance, it is essential to understand their characteristics, properties, and applications. To do this, it will be necessary to delve into theory and practical experimentation. By the end of the project, you will have a deeper understanding of organic salts, their relevance, and how they affect our daily lives.

To delve into the subject and prepare for the project, I suggest the following materials:

• Book: Atkins, P.; Jones, L.; Principles of Chemistry: Questioning the Modern Life and Environment. 5th ed., Bookman, Porto Alegre, 2012.
• Online Article: "The chemistry of soaps and detergents" available at portal-educacao.
• YouTube Video: "Organic Salts: what they are, properties, characteristics" available at YouTube.

Are you ready? Let's embark on this journey of discoveries!

Practical Activity

Activity Title: Exploring the World of Organic Salts - The Chemistry of Daily Life

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to allow students to explore and understand organic salts and their everyday applications through the performance of a practical experiment.

Detailed Project Description

This project will be carried out in groups of 3-5 members and consists of conducting an experiment involving organic salts. Students will create homemade soap, which is a practical example of an organic salt, and at the same time, learn about the importance of organic salts in our daily lives.

Required Materials

• Coconut oil (200ml)
• Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) (27g)
• Distilled water (75ml)
• Food coloring
• Essential oil (for aroma)
• Gloves and protective goggles
• Heat-resistant glass container
• Wooden spoon
• Scale
• Soap molds

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Execution

1. Everyone should wear safety equipment (gloves and protective goggles).
2. Using the scale, measure 27g of sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
3. In a heat-resistant glass container, add the sodium hydroxide to the distilled water (75ml). Stir with a wooden spoon until dissolved.
4. Heat 200ml of coconut oil and carefully add it to the sodium hydroxide solution. Stir the mixture until it thickens.
5. Add a few drops of food coloring and essential oil to the mixture and stir well.
6. Pour the mixture into the soap molds and leave them in a safe place to harden. This process can take up to 48 hours.
7. Once the soap hardens, remove it from the mold and it is ready for use!

Remember, homemade soap is an example of an organic salt, where the chemical reaction that occurs is called saponification.

Project Deliverables

Students, after completing the practical activity, should write a group report containing the following topics:

1. Introduction: In this section, students should contextualize the topic addressed (organic salts), expose its relevance and real-world applications, as well as what is expected from the project's completion.

2. Development: Here, students should include the theory about organic salts, their characteristics and properties, a detailed description of the experiment conducted, the methodology used, as well as the discussion of the results obtained.

3. Conclusions: In this section, students should conclude the work, recap their main points, explain the learnings obtained, and draw conclusions about the project.

4. Bibliography: References of the materials that were used to prepare for the project.

The purpose of the report is to complement the practical activity, showing an overview of the importance of organic salts and their practical application in our daily lives. Additionally, the report should emphasize the experience and skills acquired during the project execution, both technical and socioemotional.