Synthetic detergents are sodium salts of long chain of benzene sulphuric acid. Disadvantage of these are that they are non bio degradable and thus cause water pollution.
Detergents are not biodegradable because they have highly branched hydrocarbon chain which is not biodegradable.
Soaps get precipitated as insoluble calcium and magnesium soaps in hard water but detergents do not. Therefore, soaps but not synthetic detergents can be used to check the hardness of water.
some soapless detergents are non-biodegradable
The advantages of detergents is that they act as a surfactant and can break up dirt and oil. One of the disadvantages is that they can be released into the water supply and cause pollution.
The advantages of synthetic detergents over soaps are :Synthetic detergents can be used even in case of hard water whereas soaps fail to do so. Unlike soaps, detergents do not form insoluble calcium and magnesium salts in hard water. They give lather in hard water also.Synthetic detergents can be used in the acidic medium while soaps fail to do so because of their hydrolysis to free acids.Synthetic detergents are soluble in water and hence form more lather than soaps.Synthetic detergents have a better cleansing action than soaps.Detergents do not cause irritation to the skin while soaps have this problem.
Detergents are not biodegradable because they have highly branched hydrocarbon chain which is not biodegradable.
John Welland McCutcheon has written: 'Synthetic detergents' 'Synthetic detergents up to date' -- subject(s): Cleaning compounds, Detergents, Soap, Synthetic products
Soaps get precipitated as insoluble calcium and magnesium soaps in hard water but detergents do not. Therefore, soaps but not synthetic detergents can be used to check the hardness of water.
some soapless detergents are non-biodegradable
The advantages of detergents is that they act as a surfactant and can break up dirt and oil. One of the disadvantages is that they can be released into the water supply and cause pollution.
Germany in WW1 (1914-1918)
Many are active pollutants,
A. S. Davidson has written: 'Synthetic detergents'
The advantages of synthetic detergents over soaps are :Synthetic detergents can be used even in case of hard water whereas soaps fail to do so. Unlike soaps, detergents do not form insoluble calcium and magnesium salts in hard water. They give lather in hard water also.Synthetic detergents can be used in the acidic medium while soaps fail to do so because of their hydrolysis to free acids.Synthetic detergents are soluble in water and hence form more lather than soaps.Synthetic detergents have a better cleansing action than soaps.Detergents do not cause irritation to the skin while soaps have this problem.
Major Disadvantage of synthetic detergents are that they are non bio degradable and thus they cause water pollution.
M. S. Byrne has written: 'So you think you know about fibres?' -- subject(s): Fibers 'Powder versus liquid' -- subject(s): Detergents, Synthetic, Marketing, Synthetic Detergents
Developed after the first world war in Germany.