Stearic acid and polyethylene glycol react to form which one of the following soap/s detergents ?
(A)Cationic detergent
(B)Soap
(C)Anionic detergent
(D)Non-ionic detergent✓ Correct
Answer: (D)
Solution
Stearic acid (a fatty acid) reacts with polyethylene glycol (a polyol) to form an ester. This product is a non-ionic detergent because it lacks any charged groups—it has only ester linkages and ether linkages. Non-ionic detergents are characterized by the absence of ionic groups. Therefore, option (D) is correct.
JEE Main · 2022 · 26 Jul 2022 · Shift 1 · Single correct option