Detergent

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Detergents
A detergent is a surfactant or a mixture of surfactants with "cleaning properties in dilute
solutions."
[1]
These substances are usually alkylbenzenesulfonates, 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.
Contents
Chemical classification of detergents
Detergents are classified into three broad groupings, depending on the electrical charge of the
surfactants.
Anionic detergents
Typical anionic detergents are alkylbenzenesulfonates. The alkylbenzene portion of these anions
is lipophilic and the sulfonate is hydrophilic. Two different varieties have been popularized,
those with branched alkyl groups and those with linear alkyl groups. The former were largely
phased out in economically advanced societies because they are poorly biodegradable.
[2]
An
estimated 6 billion kilograms of anionic detergents are produced annually for domestic markets.
Bile acids, such as deoxycholic acid (DOC), are anionic detergents produced by the liver to aid
in digestion and absorption of fats and oils.


Three kinds of anionic detergents: a branched sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, linear sodium
dodecylbenzenesulfonate, and a soap.
Cationic detergents
Cationic detergents are similar to the anionic ones, with a hydrophobic component, but, instead
of the anionic sulfonate group, the cationic surfactants have quaternary ammonium as the polar
end. The ammonium center is positively charged.
[2]

Non-ionic and zwitterionic detergents
Non-ionic detergents are characterized by their uncharged, hydrophilic headgroups. Typical non-
ionic detergents are based on polyoxyethylene or a glycoside. Common examples of the former
include Tween, Triton, and the Brij series. These materials are also known as ethoxylates or
PEGylates and their metabolites, nonylphenol. Glycosides have a sugar as their uncharged
hydrophilic headgroup. Examples include octyl thioglucoside and maltosides. HEGA and MEGA
series detergents are similar, possessing a sugar alcohol as headgroup.
Zwitterionic detergents possess a net zero charge arising from the presence of equal numbers of
+1 and 1 charged chemical groups. Examples include CHAPS.
See surfactants for more applications.
Major applications of detergents
Laundry detergents
Main article: laundry detergent
One of the largest applications of detergents is for washing clothes. The formulations are
complex, reflecting the diverse demands of the application and the highly competitive consumer
market. In general, laundry detergents contain water softeners, surfactants, bleach, enzymes,
brighteners, fragrances, and many other agents. The formulation is strongly affected by the
temperature of the cleaning water and varies from country to country.
Fuel additives
Both carburetors and fuel injector components of Otto engines benefit from detergents in the
fuels to prevent fouling. Concentrations are about 300 ppm. Typical detergents are long-chain
amines and amides such as polyisobuteneamine and polyisobuteneamide/succinimide.
[3]

Biological Reagent
Reagent grade detergents are employed for the isolation and purification of integral membrane
proteins found in biological cells. Advancements in the purity and sophistication of detergents
have facilitated structural and biophysical characterization of important membrane proteins such
as ion channels,
[4]
transporters, signaling receptors, and photosystem II.
[5]

Soapless soap
Soapless soap refers to a soapfree liquid cleanser with a slightly acidic pH.
[6]
Soapless soaps are
used in an array of products.


Borax-based washing detergent