| abstract |
The invention relates to N-polyhydroxy-N'-alkylurea derivatives corresponding to the formulas where: R₁ = H or a mono- or oligosaccharide, R₂ = H or a mono- or oligosaccharide, and R₃ = C n H 2n + 1 with n = 4 to 21 n n n and mixtures thereof. These urea derivatives are amphiphilic and are therefore used according to their HLB values, inter alia, as nonionic surfactants, as emulsifiers or as humectants in cosmetic formulations. They are produced by converting aminopolyols (obtained, for example, by reductive amination of saccharides) with alkyl isocyanates having 4 to 21 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical in the presence of water and / or alcohols or of inert aprotic solvents. |