Question

Which of the following is an appropriate use of an anionic detergent?
(A) Dishwashing liquid
(B) Pine-o-clean
(C) Glass cleaners
(D) Powder for front-loading washing machines

Answer 1

Hint : A detergent is a surfactant or a mixture of surfactants with cleansing properties in dilute solutions. These substances are usually alkylbenzene sulfonates, a family of compounds that are similar to soap but are more soluble in hard water, because the polar sulfonate is less likely than the polar carboxylate (of soap) to bind to calcium and other ions found in hard water.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
Anionic detergents are the sodium salts of sulphonated long-chain alcohols or hydrocarbons. Anionic detergents are formed by treating long-chain alcohols with concentrated sulphuric acid to get alkyl hydrogen sulphates which are then neutralised with alkali. Similarly, alkyl benzene sulphonates are obtained by neutralising alkyl benzene sulphonic acids with alkali.
The anionic part of the molecule is involved in the cleansing action. Since they do not ionize in solution (water), therefore there is no electrical charge. This makes anionic detergents an appropriate item for use in dish-washing liquid.
Hence, the correct option is A.

Additional Information:
Anionic detergent is also used in laundry and automatic dishwasher detergents. The alkylbenzene portion of anions in anionic detergent is lipophilic and the sulfonate is hydrophilic. They exhibit improved detergent performance and foam stability over a range of water hardness levels.

Note :
Bile acids, such as deoxycholic acid (DOC), are anionic detergents produced by the liver to aid in digestion and absorption of fats and oils. Cationic detergents are similar to the anionic ones, with a hydrophilic component, but, instead of the anionic sulfonate group, the cationic surfactants have quaternary ammonium as the polar end.