Editing Detergent (section)

==Structure and properties==
Detergents are a group of compounds with an [[amphiphilic]] structure, where each molecule has a [[hydrophilic]] (polar) head and a long [[hydrophobic]] (non-polar) tail. The hydrophobic portion of these molecules may be straight- or branched-chain [[hydrocarbon]]s, or it may have a [[steroid]] structure. The hydrophilic portion is more varied, they may be [[Ionic compound|ionic]] or non-ionic, and can range from a simple or a relatively elaborate structure.<ref name=neugebauer>{{cite book |title=Detergents: An overview |series=Methods in Enzymology |volume= 182|year= 1990|pages= 239&ndash;253 |first=Judith M. |last=Neugebauer |chapter=&#91;18&#93; Detergents: An overview |doi=10.1016/0076-6879(90)82020-3 |pmid=2314239 |isbn=9780121820831 }}</ref> Detergents are surfactants since they can decrease the [[surface tension]] of water. Their dual nature facilitates the mixture of hydrophobic compounds (like oil and grease) with water. Because air is not hydrophilic, detergents are also [[foaming agent]]s to varying degrees.

[[File:Micelle scheme-en.svg|thumb|Structure of a micelle]]

Detergent molecules aggregate to form [[micelle]]s, which makes them soluble in water. The hydrophobic group of the detergent is the main driving force of micelle formation, its aggregation forms the hydrophobic core of the micelles. The micelle can remove grease, protein or soiling particles. The concentration at which micelles start to form is the [[critical micelle concentration]] (CMC), and the temperature at which the micelles further aggregate to separate the solution into two phases is the cloud point when the solution becomes cloudy and detergency is optimal.<ref name=neugebauer />

Detergents work better in an [[alkaline]] [[pH]]. The properties of detergents are dependent on the molecular structure of the [[monomer]]. The ability to foam may be determined by the head group, for example [[anionic surfactant]]s are high-foaming, while nonionic surfactants may be non-foaming or low-foaming.<ref>{{cite book|author=Niir Board |title=Handbook on Soaps, Detergents & Acid Slurry|url={{Google Books |vvQvDAAAQBAJ|page=270|plain-url=yes}}|date=1999|isbn=9788178330938|page=270 |publisher=Asia Pacific Business Press |via=Google Books|edition=3rd Revised }}</ref>