Chemical composition?? (1 Viewer)

[Linda N]

I'm confused...
distinguish between anionic, cationic and non-ionic synthetic detergents in terms of:
- chemical composition
- uses

Can anyone explain what chemical composition means? Is chemical composition about chemical name, structural formula, molecular formula, what chemicals involve?

 

[CM_Tutor]

Chemical composition in this context refers to the differences in the atoms involved - eg the sulfonate group (anionic detergent) compared to the carboxylate group (soap) or the quaternary ammonium group (cationic detergent) or ...

 

[Heinz]

Chemical composition in this context refers to the differences in the atoms involved - eg the sulfonate group (anionic detergent) compared to the carboxylate group (soap) or the quaternary ammonium group (cationic detergent) or ...

or... the -O-O-O-OH part in non-ionic? What exactly do you call it anyway?

 

[za]

ethoxy groups i think

 

[abdo]

ethoxy groups i think

i think not. if i remember correctly cationic ones don't even contain "oxy"gen.

 

[za]

so wats the answer?

 

[za]

wasnt he asking about non-ionic?

 

[abdo]

i must admit, i've never read the question... yes you're right about "non-ionic".

but what the hell is -O-O-O-OH? should be -CH2-CH2-O-

 

[za]

yeah it should b that.



the o-o-o-o- represents the polarity i think( just a guess)

 

[abdo]

yes you are correct, its the head.

O ----- H = hydrogen bonding

 

[CM_Tutor]

or... the -O-O-O-OH part in non-ionic? What exactly do you call it anyway?

I think that this refers to a repeating ether unit, like ...-CH₂CH₂O-CH₂CH₂O-CH₂CH₂O-CH₂CH₂O-CH₂CH₂O-H

This is much like the structure of a crown ether, which is a ring structure made up of these units.