This article aims to highlight the applicative character of chemistry, applying knowledge of organic chemistry in synthesis of the compounds with practical importance, in our case the surface active agents (the surfactants). This research is a matter of facts a classification of the surface active agents, by their structure (anionic, cationic agents, non-ionic and amphoteric) and by their main uses (detergents, foaming agents, emulsifiers, etc.). Some specific properties of the colloidal solutions are presented here (interfacial tension, tension surface, critical concentration, micellar balance, hydrophiliclypophilic balance, etc.) which determine the multiple uses of the surface active agents. Finally, there are displayed the areas of applicability of the illustrated non-ionic surfactants (cosmetic industry, pharmaceutical, food, varnishes and paints and phytosanitary products).