https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.A00303
A term used to describe a compound containing a large organic cation or anion which possesses a long unbranched hydrocarbon chain, e.g.
$\ce{CH3(CH2)_{n}CO2^{−}M^{+}}$
$\ce{CH3(CH2)_{n}N^{+}(CH3)3X^{−}}$ ($n \gt 7$)
$\ce{CH3(CH2)_{n}SO3^{−}M^{+}}$.
The existence of distinct polar (hydrophilic) and nonpolar (hydrophobic) regions in the molecule promotes the formation of micelles in dilute aqueous solution.
$\ce{CH3(CH2)_{n}CO2^{−}M^{+}}$
$\ce{CH3(CH2)_{n}N^{+}(CH3)3X^{−}}$ ($n \gt 7$)
$\ce{CH3(CH2)_{n}SO3^{−}M^{+}}$.
The existence of distinct polar (hydrophilic) and nonpolar (hydrophobic) regions in the molecule promotes the formation of micelles in dilute aqueous solution.
See also: amphipathic