In saopnafication at chemistry lab, why the saop is not dissolved in water? In saopnafication at chemistry lab, why the saop is not dissolved in water? Solution saponification reactions are the ones in which the fatty acids react with strong alkali such as NaOH to give sodium salt of fatty acids (soaps). The reaction makes soap as the major product , and hence the name , saponification. These soaps are easily soluble in water. So the soaps are not dissolved in water in the saponification reaction in the chemistry lab , because then it will be become difficult to isolate them. .