Question

Polyethylene glycols are used in the preparation of which of the following cleansing agents?

• A. Soaps
• B. Anionic detergents
• C. Cationic detergents
• D. Non-ionic detergents

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Non-ionic detergents

Explanation of correct option.

Option (D) Non-ionic detergents

• Polyethylene glycols (PEG) are used in the preparation of non-ionic detergents since they contain an $-\mathrm{OH}$ group, which is reactive and forms non-ionic detergents.
• Non-ionic detergents are based on polyoxyethylene or glycoside.
• The non-ionic detergent detergents do not contain any ions in their constitution and are formed by the reaction of stearic acid with polyethylene glycol.

Explanation of incorrect options:

Option (A) Soaps

• Soaps are ionic compounds.
• Polyethylene glycols are used in the preparation of non-ionic compounds.
• Hence option (A) is correct.

Option (B) Anionic detergents

• Polyethylene glycols are used in the preparation of non-ionic compounds.
• Since Anionic detergents have negative charges.
• Hence option (B) is correct.

Option (C) Giving out water.

• Polyethylene glycols are used in the preparation of non-ionic compounds.
• Since cationic detergents have positive charges.
• Hence option (C) is correct.

Therefore, option (D) is the correct answer.