Reaction products of 1 mol of a cycloaliphatic diol corresponding to formula IHO--R--OH Iwith 2 mols cycloaliphatic carboxylic anhydrides corresponding to formulae II and/or III ##STR1## in which R is a cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon radical having 6 to 20 carbon atoms onto which the hydroxy groups are bonded directly or via methylene groups andX represents ##STR2## chemical bond obtainable by fusion of the cycloaliphatic diol and the cycloaliphatic carboxylic anhydride in an inert gas atmosphere at temperatures of from 100.degree. C. to 250.degree. C., and the alkali and ammonium salts of these reaction products, and their use as emulsifiers.