Question

Explain the following terms with suitable examples. (i) cationic detergents (ii) anionic detergents and (iii) non-ionic detergents.

Answer 1

Detergents

1. Detergents is a surfactant consisting of are sodium salts of long chain of alkyl hydrogen sulphate.
2. Detergents are compounds consisting of amphiphilic structure, where each molecule has a hydrophilic (polar) head and a long hydrophobic (non-polar) tail.
3. They are used as cleaning agent, they are much effective than soap and can be used easily in hard water.

Cationic detergents:

1. Cationic detergents are quaternary ammonium salts of amines with anions as acetates, chlorides or bromides .
2. The cationic part consists of a long hydrocarbon chain and a positively charge Nitrogen atom. The centre ammonium sulphate is positively charged.
3. Fabrics can easily absorb cationic detergents
4. Example- Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (quaternary ammonium surfactant)

Cationic detergents are quaternary ammonium salts, consisting of amphiphilic structure, with anions as acetates, chlorides or bromides.