Question

Differentiate b/w soaps and detergents only 4 points

Answer 1

Soaps :

Soaps are sodium or potassium salts of long chain carboxylic acids a'd have general formula

$RCO \bar{O}{Na}^{ + }$

where

$R = C_{15}H_{31} \\ \\ R = C_{17}H_{35} \: etc.$

Soaps are made from animal fats or vegetable oils by heating it with sodium hydroxide.

This process of preparation of soap is called saponification.

Detergents :

They are usually ammonium or sulphonate salts of long carboxylic acids.

They are also called soapless soap.