Vinyl polyether alcohols of formula I ##STR1## (R=C.sub.1 -C.sub.25 -alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.25 -alkenyl or alkylaryl having a total of not more than 20 carbon atoms,A=1,2-alkylene having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms and n=1 to 20).These compounds serve as intermediates in the preparation of polyether sulfonates of formula III ##STR2## (M=hydrogen, alkali metal or ammonium). The vinyl polyether alcohols of formula I are useful as surface-active compounds for inclusion in surface-active compositions.