Abstract:
Fatty acid polyoxyalkyl ester sulfonates obtained by reaction of C.sub.11 -C.sub.22 monounsaturated monocarboxylic acid polyoxyalkyl esters corresponding to the following general formulaC.sub.m H.sub.2m-1 --CO--(O--C.sub.n H.sub.2n).sub.x --OR (I)in whichR is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.22 alkyl radical or a C.sub.3 -C.sub.22 alkenyl radical,m has a value of 10, 15, 17, 19 or 21,n has a value of 2 or 3 andx has a value of 1 to 20,with sulfur trioxide and subsequent reaction of the sulfonated fatty acid polyoxyalkyl ester obtained with aqueous alkali metal salts. The sulfonates have high surface activity and favorable performance properties as surfactants.