Metallic soap

Theoretically, soaps can be made of any metal, although not all enjoy practical uses.

[1] Varying the metal can strongly affect the properties of the compound, particularly its solubility.

Alkali metal and alkaline earth soaps are white solids.

[1] Other examples include mixed calcium/zinc soaps which are used as heat stabilizer for polyvinyl chloride.

Soaps of iron, cobalt and manganese are used as drying agents in paints and varnishes and work by promoting the oxidation and crosslinking of unsaturated oils.