Anionic detergent

Description

A class of synthetic, water-soluble, detergents that are most commonly used as surfactants. In anionic detergents, the hydrophilic portion of the molecule carries a negative charge. They contain anion groups (sulfate, sulfonates, or phosphates) combined with an alkali or an ammonium cation and a long-chain hydrocarbon. Examples are soap, linear sodium alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS), linear alkyl sulfate and linear alkyl ethoxy sulfate. Anionic detergents act as a wetting agents, but will precipitate when combined with cationic surfactants. They generally form alkaline solutions and thus, should not be used on wool.

Synonyms and Related Terms

soap

Resources and Citations

• Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976

• Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997

• Rosalie Rosso King, Textile Identification, Conservation, and Preservation, Noyes Publications, Park Ridge, NJ, 1985