(i) Cationic detergents: Compound detergents in which the cationic component has a longer hydrocarbon chain and a positive charge on the N atom are called cationic detergents. Quaternary ammonium salts of acetates, chlorides, or bromides are typical names of cationic detergents.
e.g., cetyltrimethylammonium bromide
(ii) Anionic detergents:
The following are examples of anionic detergents:
- Sodium alkyl sulphate detergents are essentially sodium alcohol salts with a lengthy chain. They’re created by reacting concentrated sulphuric acid with an alcohol and then adding sodium hydroxide.
e.g., Sodium lauryl sulfate (C11H23CH2OSO3–Na+), Sodium stearyl sulfate (C17H35CH2OSO3–Na+)
2. Sodium alkyl benzene sulphonates: These detergents are sodium salts of long-chain alkyl benzene sulphonic acids. Friedel-Crafts benzene alkylation with alkyl halides or alkenes with lengthy chains is used to make these. The resultant chemical interacts first with concentrated sulphuric acid before reacting with sodium hydroxide. Anionic detergents include sodium 4-(1-dodecy) benzenesulfonate and sodium 4-(1-dodecy) benzenesulfonate.
(iii) Non-ionic detergents: In the molecules of such detergents, there are no ions. They’re a good example of alcohol esters with a high molecular mass. The reactions of stearic acid and polyethylene glycol produce these.
