Question:

An ionic micelle is formed on the addition of :

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An ionic micelle forms when an amphiphilic ionic species (long hydrophobic chain + ionic head) is dissolved in water above the critical micelle concentration.
Updated On: Nov 5, 2026
  • liquid diethyl ether to aqueous NaCl solution
  • sodium stearate to pure toluene
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Micelles are aggregates of surfactant molecules, and ionic micelles need an ionic head group together with a long hydrocarbon tail, in a polar solvent such as water.
Option (1): 1,3-dimethylimidazolium octyl sulfate. The octyl sulfate anion has a C8 tail and an ionic head, an amphiphilic ionic liquid, so in excess water it forms ionic micelles.
Option (2): 1,3-dimethylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate has no long hydrophobic chain, so it is not a surfactant and forms no micelle.
Option (3): diethyl ether in aqueous NaCl is simply an immiscible organic layer, with no surfactant.
Option (4): sodium stearate in toluene (non-polar medium) gives at most reverse micelles, not ordinary ionic micelles in water.
Answer: (1) excess water added to the liquid shown in option (1)
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