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JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3el192

Two cleansing agents were tested. Observations in solution: Agent W: lathers in distilled water; white scum in hard water; turns cloudy on adding dilute HCl. Agent X: lathers in distilled water; no scum in hard water; stays clear on adding dilute HCl. Which pair of conclusions is most consistent with these data?

  1. AW is a synthetic detergent; X is a soap
  2. BBoth W and X are soaps, differing only in chain length
  3. CW is a cationic detergent; X is a soap
  4. DW is a soap (carboxylate salt); X is a synthetic detergent with a sulphate or sulphonate head

Answer: D

Scum with and cloudiness in acid (free fatty acid formed) are the signature of a carboxylate soap. A clear solution in acid and no scum in hard water indicate an anion of a strong acid, such as an alkyl sulphate or sulphonate. So W is a soap and X is a synthetic detergent.
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