Editing Detergent (section)

===Anionic detergents===
Typical anionic detergents are [[Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate|alkylbenzene sulfonates]]. The [[alkylbenzene]] portion of these [[anions]] is [[lipophilic]] and the sulfonate is [[hydrophilic]]. Two varieties have been popularized, those with branched [[alkyl group]]s and those with linear alkyl groups. The former were largely phased out in economically advanced societies because they are poorly biodegradable.<ref name=Ullmann>Eduard Smulders, Wolfgang Rybinski, Eric Sung, Wilfried Rähse, Josef Steber, Frederike Wiebel, Anette Nordskog, "Laundry Detergents" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry 2002, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. {{doi|10.1002/14356007.a08_315.pub2}}</ref>

Anionic detergents are the most common form of detergents, and an estimated 6 billion kilograms of anionic detergents are produced annually for the domestic markets.

[[Bile acid]]s, such as [[deoxycholic acid]] (DOC), are anionic detergents produced by the liver to aid in digestion and absorption of fats and oils.

[[File:Soap&Detergents.png|thumb|480px|right|Three kinds of anionic detergents: a branched sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, linear [[sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate]], and a soap.]]