Water-soluble, non-ionic surface active compounds are provided having the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently hydrogen or an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;X is a hydrophobic substituted or unsubstituted arylene group or a hydrophobic substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group;Y.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 are each independently a chemical bond, --CO-- or --(CH.sub.2).sub.m NR.sup.3 CO--;m is an integer from 1 to 6;R.sup.3 is as defined for R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 ; and,Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 are each independently a hydrophilic polyhydroxyalkyl group. The compounds are particularly useful as coating aids for the coating of hydrophilic colloid layers in the preparation of photographic materials.