Preferred Label : amphipathic;
IUPAC definition : The property of surface activity is usually due to the fact that the molecules of
the substance are amphipathic or amphiphilic, meaning that each contains both a hydrophilic
and a hydrophobic (lipophilic) group. This assumes that one of the two phases is aqueous,
and the other non-aqueous. If both are non-aqueous (e.g. oil/air), molecules containing
organophilic and organophobic groups may be amphipathic and surface active.;
Origin ID : A00302;
See also
The property of surface activity is usually due to the fact that the molecules of
the substance are amphipathic or amphiphilic, meaning that each contains both a hydrophilic
and a hydrophobic (lipophilic) group. This assumes that one of the two phases is aqueous,
and the other non-aqueous. If both are non-aqueous (e.g. oil/air), molecules containing
organophilic and organophobic groups may be amphipathic and surface active.
