Abstract: Surfactants having an HLB of from about 12 to about 20, preferably 14 to about 20, are disclosed which correspond to formulas I and II: ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1 is a nonpolymerizable hydrocarbyl or inertly-substituted hydrocarbyl group of at least 8 carbon atoms; R.sub.2 is hydrogen or alkyl; X is ##STR2## Y is a terminal inorganic or organic group; and n is at least 2.