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Cationic Surfactants

AQA A-level ChemistryAminesLesson 10 of 10

A surfactant (surface active agent) is a molecule with a water-loving (hydrophilic) part and a water-hating (hydrophobic) part, so it collects at surfaces. A cationic surfactant is one in which the hydrophilic head is positively charged.

Quaternary ammonium salts with at least one long hydrocarbon chain are cationic surfactants. An example is hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide:

CH3(CH2)15N+(CH3)3 Br−

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