Abstract: The present invention provides compounds which are liquid at a temperature of 20° C. and a pressure of 101325 Pa and are of the general formula (I) [R—O(SO)a(EO)b(CH2CHCH3O)c(BO)d]x—[PO—(OH)3-x]y—R4z, where R=cardanol radical, R4=H, M+ or alkyl having 1 to 3 C atoms, SO=styrene oxide, EO=ethylene oxide, BO=butylene oxide and a=0 to 3, b=0 to 100, preferably at least 1, c=0 to 20, d=0 to 3, x=1 to 3, y=0 or 1, with the proviso that y+z is =1, that if z=1 also x is =1, that when a, c and d are =0, b is from 1 to 15, preferably from 6 to 10, that when c or d is other than 0, one of the other indices a to d is likewise other than 0, and that the sum a+b+c+d is greater 3, a process for preparing them, compositions comprising these compounds, and the use thereof.