[yangyangg]

Some people say that deterfents can react with grease to form soluble products so that the grease can be removed, is it correct?

[Yggdrasil]

Detergents have nonpolar tail group and a polar head group.  In solution, the nonpolar tail groups are excluded from water, so they form micelles (the picture here is helpful).  In these micelles, the nonpolar tails form a hydrophobic environment in the interior, while the polar head groups create a polar environment on the outside.  Since the outside is polar, the micelle is able to disolve in water.  However, because the inside of the micelle is nonpolar, it can capture nonpolar substances (such as dirt and grease) which are soluble in a hydrophobic environment.  When these grease molecules become trapped in the micelles, they can be washed away with the water soluble micelles.

So, it really isn't a chemical reaction which solublizes the grease.  Basically the detergent micelles capture grease and allow them to enter the soluble phase and be washed away.

[mrdeadman]

Detergents have nonpolar tail group and a polar head group.  In solution, the nonpolar tail groups are excluded from water, so they form micelles (the picture here is helpful).  In these micelles, the nonpolar tails form a hydrophobic environment in the interior, while the polar head groups create a polar environment on the outside.  Since the outside is polar, the micelle is able to disolve in water.  However, because the inside of the micelle is nonpolar, it can capture nonpolar substances (such as dirt and grease) which are soluble in a hydrophobic environment.  When these grease molecules become trapped in the micelles, they can be washed away with the water soluble micelles.

So, it really isn't a chemical reaction which solublizes the grease.  Basically the detergent micelles capture grease and allow them to enter the soluble phase and be washed away.

that's why it cleans up grease, grease and oil are nonpolar so they "stick" to the nonpolar side while water "sticks" to the polar side.  I remember we did an entire lab on this in the general chem.

[rctrackstar2007]

does anyone know any of the characteristics of Lava that make it such a good grease remover?

[Donaldson Tan]

Lava = molten earth. LOL

[rctrackstar2007]

Lava = molten earth. LOL

no i mean the soap Lava, unless that was a hint of sarcasm in the intraweb air 

[mrdeadman]

im pretty sure that was sarcasm man. 

[rctrackstar2007]

im pretty sure that was sarcasm man. 

that's why included my little end note lol i was just to lazy to delete the first part