Question:medium

The detergent used in tooth pastes is 'X' and in hair conditioners is 'Y'. What are X and Y respectively?

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Anionic detergents clean; cationic detergents condition hair by reducing static charge.
Updated On: Jun 15, 2026
  • \(p-CH_3(CH_2)_{11}C_6H_4SO_3Na;\;(C_{15}H_{31}COO)_3C_3H_5\)
  • \((C_{17}H_{33}COO)_3C_3H_5;\;CH_3(CH_2)_{15}N(CH_3)_3Br\)
  • \(CH_3(CH_2)_{10}CH_2OSO_3Na;\;p-C_9H_{19}C_6H_4O(CH_2CH_2O)_5CH_2CH_2OH\)
  • \(CH_3(CH_2)_{10}CH_2OSO_3Na;\;CH_3(CH_2)_{15}N(CH_3)_3Br\)
Show Solution

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Recall the detergent types.
Detergents are classed as anionic, cationic, or non-ionic. Toothpastes use an anionic detergent, while hair conditioners use a cationic detergent.
Step 2: Identify X for toothpaste.
The common anionic detergent in toothpaste is sodium lauryl sulfate, $CH_3(CH_2)_{10}CH_2OSO_3Na$. So X is this sulfate salt.
Step 3: Identify Y for hair conditioner.
Hair conditioners use cationic quaternary ammonium salts, such as $CH_3(CH_2)_{15}N(CH_3)_3Br$, which reduce static and smooth the hair. So Y is this ammonium salt.
Step 4: Test the other options.
Triglyceride esters (like $(C_{15}H_{31}COO)_3C_3H_5$) are soaps or fats, not the toothpaste detergent, and non-ionic ethoxylates are not the conditioner here, so those pairs are wrong.
Step 5: Combine X and Y.
The correct pairing is anionic $CH_3(CH_2)_{10}CH_2OSO_3Na$ for X and cationic $CH_3(CH_2)_{15}N(CH_3)_3Br$ for Y.
Step 6: Choose the option.
This pair matches option (4).
\[ \boxed{X=CH_3(CH_2)_{10}CH_2OSO_3Na,\ \ Y=CH_3(CH_2)_{15}N(CH_3)_3Br\ \ \text{(Option 4)}} \]
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