My original question was that I wished to dissolve 100mg of caffeine powder in oil but could not do it as caffeine was not soluble in oil. The answer was to dissolve soap in the oil first, then the caffeine. I've done some research and I propose to dissolve sodium lauryl sulphate in the oil first, then the caffeine. I therefore need to know; 1. If this will work, and 2. How much sodium lauryl sulphate I need to dissolve in the oil so that precisely 100mg of caffeine can then be completely dissolved in the oil solution?

To determine if dissolving sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) in oil followed by dissolving caffeine will work, you need to consider the solubility of both substances.

1. Compatibility:
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a common surfactant that is soluble in both water and oil. It can act as an emulsifier to stabilize oil-in-water or water-in-oil mixtures. While it can enhance the solubility of some substances in oil, it might not necessarily increase the solubility of caffeine significantly. However, it's worth testing to see if it works in your specific case.

2. Solubility of Caffeine in Oil:
Caffeine is not highly soluble in oil. However, using SLS as an emulsifier might improve its solubility to some extent. It's important to note that the solubility of caffeine in oil will be limited, and achieving complete solubility might be challenging.

3. Calculation:
To determine how much SLS to dissolve in the oil for the precise solubility of 100mg of caffeine, you need to consider the solubility ratios of both substances. Unfortunately, finding the exact solubility ratios for your specific oil and SLS might require experimental determination.

However, here's a general approach to estimate the SLS amount:

a. Start with a small test batch (e.g., 10 mL of oil)
b. Dissolve a small amount of SLS in the oil (e.g., 0.1 g)
c. Add caffeine gradually while stirring until it reaches saturation (observe if it dissolves or precipitates)
d. If caffeine doesn't dissolve completely, continue adding small amounts of SLS and repeating step c until you achieve the desired solubility.
e. Once you find the minimum SLS concentration that enables caffeine solubility, you can scale it up for your desired 100mg of caffeine.

Keep in mind that the solubility of caffeine in oil may vary depending on factors such as temperature, oil type, and the specific SLS concentration used. Experimentation is key to finding the optimal conditions.

Also, it's vital to handle chemicals safely and ensure any experimentation is carried out following proper guidelines and regulations.

To answer your questions:

1. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a common surfactant used in many products, including soaps. It can enhance the solubility of certain compounds in oil-based solutions by acting as an emulsifier. Therefore, dissolving SLS in the oil before adding caffeine can potentially improve the solubility of caffeine in the oil.

2. To determine how much SLS you need to dissolve in the oil to fully dissolve 100mg of caffeine, you would need to know the solubility of caffeine in the oil with and without the presence of SLS. Unfortunately, I don't have access to that information. The solubility of caffeine in different oils can vary, and the addition of a surfactant like SLS can affect it further. It would be best to consult scientific literature, experiments, or seek guidance from experts in the field to obtain accurate solubility data.

Keep in mind that the solubility of caffeine in oil may also depend on other factors, such as temperature, agitation, and the specific type of oil used. It's recommended to conduct small-scale experiments to determine the optimal amount of SLS required for complete dissolution of 100mg of caffeine in your specific oil.