nonoxy

Nonoxy refers to a class of chemical compounds that are nonionic surfactants. These molecules have a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head and a hydrophobic (water-repelling) tail, but the head group carries no electrical charge. This nonionic nature is a key characteristic that distinguishes them from other types of surfactants like anionic or cationic surfactants.

The "oxy" part of the name typically refers to the presence of ethoxy or polyethoxy groups. These are chains of repeating ethylene oxide units (-CH2-CH2-O-) that form the hydrophilic portion of the molecule. The length of this polyethoxy chain can be varied to adjust the surfactant's solubility in water and its overall properties. The hydrophobic tail is commonly derived from fatty alcohols, alkylphenols, or fatty acids.

Nonoxy surfactants are widely used in a variety of applications due to their desirable properties. These include excellent detergency, wetting, emulsifying, and dispersing capabilities. They are often found in household cleaning products, industrial detergents, personal care items like shampoos and cosmetics, and agricultural formulations. Their neutral charge makes them compatible with a wide range of other ingredients and less likely to interact with charged surfaces, which can be advantageous in certain formulations. Examples of common nonoxy surfactants include alcohol ethoxylates and alkylphenol ethoxylates.