The reaction of an ester with sodium hydroxide, used to prepare soap from fats, is called:

1. When an ester reacts with the alkali sodium hydroxide, it breaks down. 2. The products are the alcohol and the carboxylic acid as its sodium salt. 3. Because this is used to make soap from fats, it is called saponification. 4. Rule out A: esterification is the forward reaction that builds an ester, not breaks it. _Source: Balbharati (Maharashtra Board) Class 10 Science & Technology, Ch 9 "Carbon Compounds", p.140_