The invention relates to a process for the preparation of SiOC-linked, linear polydimethylsiloxane-polyoxyalkylene block copolymers having (AB) repeat units, via reaction by methods known per se of polyetherdiols with a stoichiometric excess of alpha,omega-dihydropolydimethylsiloxanes, in the presence of one or more compounds of elements of main group 13 and/or of transition group 3 as catalyst, which comprises, after completed reaction of the alcohol component, continuing the reaction until no remaining [identical to]Si(H) groups are detectable by a gas-volumetric method, and also to the compounds thus prepared, and to their use as surfactant additives for the production of polyurethane ether foams.