Abstract: The present invention relates to a new ortho ester-based surfactant, where the hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts are connected by ortho ester linkages to the molecule. The ortho ester has the formula where R is hydrogen or an aliphatic group with 1–7 carbon atoms; R1 is hydrogen or an alkyl group with 1–5 carbon atoms; A1 is an alkyleneoxy group with 2–4 carbon atoms, the number of ethyleneoxy groups being at least 50% of the total number of alkyleneoxy groups; n1 is a number between 1 and 30; R2 is an aliphatic group with 5–22 carbon atoms; A2 is an alkyleneoxy group with 3–4 carbon atoms; n2 is a number between 0–30, provided that when R2 is an aliphatic group with 5–6 carbon atoms n2 is at least 1; R3 is selected from the group consisting of (A1)n1R1, (A2)n2R2 and an alkyl group with 1–6 carbon atoms, where A1, n1, R1, A2, n2 and R2 have the same meaning as mentioned above; or a di- or polycondensate via any of the free hydroxy groups of the ortho ester.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for reducing the sulfur content of a hydrocarbon feedstock to a value of less than 200 ppm, preferably less than 50 ppm, which comprises subjecting a catalyst comprising a Group VIB metal component, a Group VIII metal component, and an organic additive on a carrier to a sulfidation step, and contacting a feedstock with a 95% boiling point of 450° C. or less and a sulfur content of 500 ppm or less with the sulfided catalyst under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure to form a product with a sulfur content of less than 200 ppm. The organic additive preferably is at least one compound selected from the group of compounds comprising at least two hydroxyl groups and 2-10 carbon atoms, and the (poly)ethers of these compounds.