Chapter 21, Problem 21.1CTE

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Whether the laundry detergent leaves clothes brighter, whiter, new and improved or not should be determined.

Concept introduction Detergents are a mixture of surfactant (surface active agents) used for washing and cleaning purpose. They are amphiphilic which are partly polar and non-polar (hydrophilic & hydrophobic). They are classified into three broad categories, such as anionic detergents- alkyl benzenesulfonates, where alkyl benzene is anionic and lipophilic, and sulfonate is hydrophilic. Cationic detergent is similar to anionic sulfonate group but as cation they have quaternary ammonium. Non-ionic and zwitterionic detergents are uncharged, they have hydrophilic head groups. They are based on polyoxyethylene or a glycoside