Question

In washing powders, certain chemicals are added to impart the under-mentioned properties. Name the chemical used for each purpose.

Impart whiteness

Answer 1

Ammonium $\left({{\mathrm{NH}}_4}^{+}\right)$ or Sulphonate $\left({{\mathrm{RSO}}_3}^{-}\right)$ salts contain long-chain carboxylic acids are called detergents.

These detergents are used as washing powders for cleaning clothes.

Washing powders contain detergents by weight $(15-30\%)$.

The chemical used to impart whiteness is Sodium borate $\left({\mathrm{Na}}_2\right[{\mathrm{B}}_4{\mathrm{O}}_5{\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)}_4]·8{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O})$ or borax. It is a mild bleaching agent.