Abstract: Fluorinated-alkyl sulfides represented by [R.sub.f (CH.sub.2).sub.n S].sub.z Q where R.sub.f is fluoroalkyl, n is 2 or 3, z is 1 or 2, and Q is an aryl, alkylaryl, alkyl heterocyclic or heterocyclic radical, are useful as surfactants or as intermediates for the preparation of salt-type, quaternary-salt, or amphoteric surfactants.