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JEE Main levelOne or more correct optionsDifficulty 2 of 3el185

Which of the following statements about soaps and synthetic detergents are correct?

  1. ASynthetic detergents can be used in acidic solution, whereas soaps cannot.
  2. BSoaps give a clear solution with the ions of hard water, with no precipitate.
  3. CSoaps are sodium or potassium salts of long-chain carboxylic acids.
  4. DHighly branched alkylbenzenesulphonate detergents are readily biodegradable.

Answer: A, C

Detergent anions (sulphate or sulphonate) come from strong acids and are not protonated in acid, while soap anions are. Soaps are indeed salts of long-chain carboxylic acids. Branched-chain detergents resist bacterial attack, so they are not readily biodegradable, and soaps precipitate magnesium salts. Statements 1 and 2 are correct.
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