Question

Which of the following statements are correct?

(i) Cationic detergents have germicidal properties.

(ii) Bacteria can degrade the detergents containing highly branched chains.

(iii) Some synthetic detergents can give foam even in ice cold water.

(iv) Synthetic detergents are not soaps.

Answer 1

(i) Cationic detergents have germicidal properties.

(iii) Some synthetic detergents can give foam even in ice cold water.

(iv) Synthetic detergents are not soaps.

Explanation:

(i) Cationic detergents are quaternary ammonium salts of amines with acetates, chlorides or bromides as anions. These detergents have germicidal properties.

(ii) Bacteria cannot degrade the detergents containing highly branched chains, therefore, in most of the detergents used these days, the branching is kept to a minimum so that the detergents become easily biodegradable.

(iii) Some synthetic detergents can give foam even in ice-cold water.

(iv) Synthetic detergents are cleansing agents which have all the properties of soaps, but which actually do not contain any soap.