ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Oleochemistry

Oleochemistry is like cooking with oils and fats. Just like when you cook with butter or oil, in oleochemistry, people use oils and fats to make new things. Some of the things that can be made include soap, lotions, and even things like biodiesel.

To get started, scientists and chemists take oils and fats from plants or animals. Next, they break down these oils and fats to get some special chemicals. These chemicals can then be used to make different products.

For example, one of the chemicals that can be made is called glycerin. Glycerin is used in many things like soap and lotion to make your skin soft and smooth. Another chemical that is commonly made is called fatty acid. This chemical can be used in things like candles or even in foods like butter!

When people make things using oleochemistry, they have to follow special recipes and use special equipment. They mix and heat up different ingredients to make new things. Just like when you cook something, the process can take a while, and there can be a lot of steps involved.

Overall, oleochemistry is a way to use oils and fats to make new and useful things for people to use in their everyday lives.