What is the basic structure of a detergent?

Solution

A synthetic detergent molecule consists of two parts; a long hydrocarbon chain which is water repelling (hydrophobic) and a short ionic part which is water attracting (hydrophilic). The ionic groups or water. attracting groups in a synthetic detergent are usually a sulphonate group (SO₃^–Na⁺) or sulphate group (OSO₃^– Na⁺ or SO₄^–Na⁺). For example, the synthetic detergent known as sodium n-dodecyl sulphate has two parts : a long hydrocarbon chain (n-dodecyl) containing twelve carbon atoms and a short ionic part called sulphate group (–SO₃^–Na⁺). The formula of this detergent is given below:

Some More Questions From Chemistry in Everyday Life Chapter

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Chemistry In Everyday Life

What is the basic structure of a detergent?

Some More Questions From Chemistry in Everyday Life Chapter

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