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

Explanation

(a) Cationic detergents are those which have cationic hydrophilic group. These are mostly acetates , chlorides or bromides of quaternary ammonium salts . For example , cetylterimethyl ammonium chloride : `[CH_(3)(CH_(2))_(15)N(CH_(3))_(3)]^(+)Cl^(-)`
(b) Anionic detergents are those which have anionic hydrophilic group. These are manufactured form long chain alcohols. For example, sodium lauryl sulphate : `C_(11)H_(23)CH_(2)OSO_(3)Na`
Sodium p-(dodecyl) benzene sulphonate :

(c) Neutral detergents are ester of high molecular mass with fatty acids . These contain polar groups which can for hydrogen bonds with water . For example , polyethylene glycol stearate `CH_(3)(CH_(2))_(16)COO(CH_(2)CH_(2)O)_(n)CH_(2)CH_(2)OH`.