Amphipathic
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An amphipathic (a.k.a. amphiphilic) molecule contains both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups. The hydrophobic group can be a long carbon chain, with the form: CH3(CH2)n, with 4 < n < 16. The hydrophilic group falls into one of the following categories:
- Ionic Molecules
- Anionic (with respect to the charge on the group maintaining hydrophobia). Examples are:
- fatty acids: RCO2-Na+;
- sulfates: RSO4-Na+;
- sulfonates: RSO3-Na+.
- Cationic. These are generically bactericidal and hence non-biodegradable.
- Anionic (with respect to the charge on the group maintaining hydrophobia). Examples are:
- Amphoteric Molecules. Examples are phospholipids, one of the main constituents of biological membranes: they insulate the cells from the surrounding medium.
- Non-Ionic Molecules. A small polymer is grafted onto a hydrophobic segment.
- Block Copolymers
- Floation additives