| abstract |
The invention relates to non-ionic surface-active agents which correspond to the formula RO[C2H3(OZ)]R1 (I) in which R denotes a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic radical containing 4 to 20 carbon atoms, R1 denotes (1) a, preferably linear, alkyl radical, (2) a linear or branched alkoxymethyl radical or (3) an alkenyloxymethyl radical, the alkyl or alkenyl parts of these radicals containing from 4 to 20 carbon atoms,and Z denotes a polyether linkage corresponding to the formula <IMAGE> in which &upbar& n denotes an average statistical value of 2 to 20 and A denotes (a) the group OH, (b) the group <IMAGE> in which u denotes 0 or 1, or (c) the group <IMAGE> in which u dentoes 0 or 1, the radicals R and R1 containing a total of 12 to 38 carbon atoms, as well as to the derivatives of the above compounds which result from the reaction of ethylene oxide or glycidol with the OH groups. These compounds can be used, in particular, as base surface-active agents or as additives in cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions. |