Abstract: Latexes are thickened by compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is an aliphatic, substituted aliphatic, aromatic, or substituted aromatic radical having a valence of from 2 to 8; each of B.sub.1 -B.sub.8 is independently an ester, amide, amine, ether, sulfide, disulfide, thiocarbamate, urea, thiourea, urethane, sulfate, phosphate, carbonyl, methylene, thioamide, carbonate, or imide linkage; each of X.sup.1 -X.sup.8 is independently -A.sub.1 -R.sup.2 -A.sub.2 - or -A.sub.1 - wherein each of A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 is independently an ester, amide, amine, ether, sulfide, disulfide, urethane, thiocarbamate, urea, thiourea, sulfate, phosphate, carbonyl, methylene, thioamide, carbonate, or imide linkage and R.sup.2 is a divalent aliphatic, substituted aliphatic, aromatic, or substituted aromatic radical with the proviso that only one of B.sub.1 -B.sub.8 is urethane and that when one of B.sub.1 -B.sub.8 is urethane, one of A.sub.1 and A.sub.