| abstract |
Polyoxylalkylene esters and amides of alk(en)yl succinic anhydrides, of the formulae (I) YA<1>.OC(HR)CC(HR<1>)CO.A(CmH2m0)n.R<2> and (II) YA<1>.OC(HR)CC(HR<1>)CO.A(CmH2m0)n.CpH2pA.CO(HR<1>)CC(HR)CO.A<1>Y where R, R<1>, A, A<1>, Y, R<2>, m, n and p are as defined, particularly where the alk(en)yl group is a C14 to C22 group, are effective surfactants. They are especially notable because, very surprisingly, the cloud point tends to rise with increasing alk(en)yl group chain lenght. The surfactants are effective in scouring wool and inverting polyacrylamide water in oil emulsions into water. |