Sodium dodecanoate is soluble in water even though it contains a large hydrophobic segment. How does this molecule interact with its surroundings to facilitate solubility?

Sodium laurate, also known as sodium dodecanoate, is a soap. It is the salt of lauric acid. It is an amphiphilic organic molecule which is composed of a hydrophilic head (polar) and a hydrophobic tail (non-polar fatty acid).

In a aqueous solution, it leads to the formation of a micelle. The hydrophilic head of the molecule interacts with the surrounding polar solvent molecules. Thereby, making the micelle soluble in the solution. Whereas, the hydrophobic tails present in the core of micelle, interacts with the non-polar oil particles.