Which one of the following is NOT a synthetic detergent ?

Which one of the following is NOT a synthetic detergent ?

$^{+}$ Br$^{-}$” option3=”CH$_3$(CH$_2$)$_{16}$COO$^{-}$ Na$^{+}$” option4=”CH$_3$(CH$_2$)$_{16}$COO(CH$_2$CH$_2$O)$_n$ CH$_2$CH$_2$OH” correct=”option3″]

The correct answer is C) CH$_3$(CH$_2$)$_{16}$COO$^{-}$ Na$^{+}$.

Synthetic detergents are cleaning agents that are synthesized and have chemical structures different from traditional soaps. Traditional soaps are salts of fatty acids, typically with a carboxylate head group (-COO-). Option C, CH$_3$(CH$_2$)$_{16}$COO$^{-}$ Na$^{+}$, is sodium stearate, which is a common example of a soap. Options A, B, and D represent synthetic detergents with different types of polar head groups: A is an anionic sulfate-based detergent, B is a cationic quaternary ammonium-based detergent, and D is a non-ionic polyoxyethylene-based detergent.

Soaps are derived from the saponification of fats and oils (esters of fatty acids). Synthetic detergents were developed to overcome some limitations of soaps, such as their tendency to form scum with hard water ions. The term “synthetic detergent” typically refers to surfactants other than soaps.