Detergents are prepared by the action of H2SO4 followed by neutralization by starting with _____?

Question : Detergents are prepared by the action of H2SO4 followed by neutralization by starting with _____?

(1) cholesterol.

(2) lauryl alcohol.

(3) cyclohexanol.

(4) p-nitrophenol.

Answer : In all above options the correct answer is “(2) lauryl alcohol.”

explanation of answer : The chemical formula of lauryl alcohol is C₁₂H₂₆O  and when lauryl alcohol (C₁₂H₂₆O) reacts with concentrated H2SO4  (concentrated Sulfuric acid) , some resultant product received named lauryl hydrogen sulfate and when this lauryl hydrogen sulfate further reacts with NaOH , after this reaction sodium lauryl sulphate received as final product. this sodium lauryl sulphate is also called anionic detergents. so we can say that Detergents are prepared by the action of H2SO4 followed by neutralization by starting with lauryl alcohol (C₁₂H₂₆O). that is why correct answer is (2) lauryl alcohol.

Complete chemical reaction is given as below –