Classification Of Detergent

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A detergent is a surfactant or a mixture of surfactants with cleaning properties in dilute solutions. These substances are usually Alkyl benzene sulfonates, a family of compounds that are similar to soap but are more soluble in hard water, because the polar sulfonate (of detergents) is less likely than the polar carboxyl (of soap) to bind to calcium and other ions found in hard water. In most household contexts, the term detergent by itself refers specifically to laundry detergent or dish detergent, as opposed to hand soap or other types of cleaning agents. Detergents are commonly available as powders or concentrated solutions. Detergents, like soaps, work because they are amphiphilic partly hydrophilic (polar) and partly hydrophobic (non-polar). Their dual nature facilitates the mixture of hydrophobic compounds (like oil and grease) with water. Because air is not hydrophilic, detergents are also foaming agents to varying degrees.

Synthetic detergents have similar molecular structures and properties as soap. Although the cleansing action is similar, the detergents do not react as readily with hard water ions of calcium ...
... and magnesium. There are over a thousand synthetic detergents available in the United States. Detergent molecular structures consist of a long hydrocarbon chain and a water soluble ionic group. Most detergents have a negative ionic group and are called anionic detergents. The majority are alky sulfates. Others are surfactants (from surface active agents) which are generally known as alkyl benzene sulfonates. Cationic Detergents Another class of detergents have a positive ionic charge and are called "cationic" detergents. In addition to being good cleansing agents, they also possess germicidal properties which makes them useful in hospitals. Most of these detergents are derivatives of ammonia. A cationic detergent is most likely to be found in a shampoo or clothes "rinse". The purpose is to neutralize the static electrical charges from residual anionic (negative ions) detergent molecules. Since the negative charges repel each other, the positive cationic detergent neutralizes this charge. Neutral or non-ionic detergents: Nonionic detergents are used in dish washing liquids. Since the detergent does not have any ionic groups, it does not react with hard water ions. In addition, nonionic detergents foam less than ionic detergents. The detergent molecules must have some polar parts to provide the necessary water solubility. In the graphic on the left, the polar part of the molecule consists of three alcohol groups and an ester group. The non-polar part is the usual long hydrocarbon chain. Bile Salts - Intestinal Natural Detergents Bile acids are produced in the liver and secreted in the intestine via the gall bladder. Bile acids are oxidation products of cholesterol. First the cholesterol is converted to the trihydroxy derivative containing three alcohol groups. The end of the alkane chain at C # 17 is converted into an acid, and finally the amino acid, glycine is bonded through an amide bond. The acid group on the glycine is converted to a salt. The bile salt is called sodium glycoholate. Another salt can be made with a chemical called taurine. The main function of bile salts is to act as a soap or detergent in the digestive processes. The major action of a bile salt is to emulsify fats and oils into smaller droplets. The various enzymes can then break down the fats and oils.

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