US Patent 9315621 Polymeric surfactant

A compound of the formulaR1.[(AO)n.A OR2]m  (I)where: R1 is the residue of a group having at least m active hydrogen atoms where m is at least 2; AO is an alkylene oxide residue; each n is independently from 0 to 100; and each R2 is independently H or an acyl group COR3 where each R3 is independently a residue of a polyhydroxyalkyl or polyhydroxyalkenyl carboxylic acid, a residue of a hydroxyalkyl or hydroxyalkenyl carboxylic acid and/or a residue of an oligomer of the hydroxyalkyl or hydroxyalkenyl carboxylic acid wherein on average at least 2 of R2 is an acyl group. The compounds are particularly suitable for use as emulsifiers and/or dispersants.