Question

What are cationic detergents? Give an example.

Answer 1

Cationic detergents are quaternary ammonium salts of amines with acetate, chlorides or Bromides as anions. They have cations at the soluble ends of the chain. Cations are long-chain hydrocarbons having a positive charge on N atom.
Eg: Cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide.

${\left[C{H}_3\right(C{H}_2{)}_{15}-\underset{C{H}_3}{\underset{|}{\stackrel{C{H}_3}{\stackrel{|}{N}-}}}C{H}_3]}^{+}B{r}^{-}$