A sulfuric acid ester containing a plurality of carbonyl groups or a salt thereof, and a surfactant. The sulfuric acid ester is a compound represented by the following formula:
R.sup.1—C(═O)—R.sup.2—C(═O)—R.sup.3—OSO.sub.3X wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are as defined herein; X is H, a metal atom, NR.sup.4.sub.4, imidazolium optionally containing a substituent, pyridinium optionally containing a substituent, or phosphonium optionally containing a substituent, where R.sup.4s are each H or an organic group and are the same as or different from each other; and any two of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 optionally bind to each other to form a ring.

The present invention relates to a viscometric properties improver capable of improving the fuel efficiency of an internal combustion engine, and an additive composition for a liquid coolant containing the viscometric properties improver. [1] A viscometric properties improver consisting of a compound (A) represented by the following formula (1) and a compound (B) represented by the following formula (2), and [2] an additive composition for a liquid coolant containing the same:
R.sup.1OR.sup.2O.sub.mSO.sub.3M  (1)
R.sup.3O—SO.sub.3M  (2) wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 are the same as or different from each other and each represent a linear or branched alkyl group or alkenyl group having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms; R.sup.2 represents an ethylene group or a propylene group; m represents an addition molar number of R.sup.2O of 1 or more and 15 or less; and M represents a cation or a hydrogen atom.

The present invention relates to a viscometric properties improver capable of improving the fuel efficiency of an internal combustion engine, and an additive composition for a liquid coolant containing the viscometric properties improver. [1] A viscometric properties improver consisting of a compound (A) represented by the following formula (1) and a compound (B) represented by the following formula (2), and [2] an additive composition for a liquid coolant containing the same:
R.sup.1OR.sup.2O.sub.mSO.sub.3M  (1)
R.sup.3O—SO.sub.3M  (2) wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 are the same as or different from each other and each represent a linear or branched alkyl group or alkenyl group having 12 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms; R.sup.2 represents an ethylene group or a propylene group; m represents an addition molar number of R.sup.2O of 1 or more and 15 or less; and M represents a cation or a hydrogen atom.

A surfactant of formula (I)

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wherein each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently a hydrogen, an optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted cycloalkyl, or an optionally substituted arylalkyl, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are independently an optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted cycloalkyl, or an optionally substituted arylalkyl, x is an integer in a range of 2-8, y is an integer in a range of 1-15, z is an integer in a range of 4-10, n is an integer in a range of 2-5, and A is one of a carboxybetaine group, a sulfobetaine group, or a hydroxy sulfobetaine group. An oil and gas well servicing fluid containing the surfactant and methods of servicing an oil and gas well are also described.

A surfactant of formula (I)

##STR00001##

wherein each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently a hydrogen, an optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted cycloalkyl, or an optionally substituted arylalkyl, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are independently an optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted cycloalkyl, or an optionally substituted arylalkyl, x is an integer in a range of 2-8, y is an integer in a range of 1-15, z is an integer in a range of 4-10, n is an integer in a range of 2-5, and A is one of a carboxybetaine group, a sulfobetaine group, or a hydroxy sulfobetaine group. An oil and gas well servicing fluid containing the surfactant and methods of servicing an oil and gas well are also described.

The present invention is directed to surfactants with small hydrophobes, which are of non-conventional hydrophobe size. The surfactants of the present invention utilize a small hydrophobic moiety with a polvalkoxylate chain comprising PO, BO and/or EO groups, with optional ionic groups, such as anionic, cationic and zwitterionic, to achieve the desired hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB). The present invention is further directed to formulations comprising the surfactants of the invention, and methods of using the surfactants of the invention, including in enhanced oil recovery applications.

The present invention is directed to surfactants with small hydrophobes, which are of non-conventional hydrophobe size. The surfactants of the present invention utilize a small hydrophobic moiety with a polvalkoxylate chain comprising PO, BO and/or EO groups, with optional ionic groups, such as anionic, cationic and zwitterionic, to achieve the desired hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB). The present invention is further directed to formulations comprising the surfactants of the invention, and methods of using the surfactants of the invention, including in enhanced oil recovery applications.

In one embodiment, a polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate composition is provided which includes a polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate, such as sodium laureth ether sulfate (SLES), water, a mono-alcohol, and a polyol. The two alcohols form a synergistic blend, enabling a significant reduction of the viscosity of the polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate composition. Also provided is an embodiment of a method for modifying the rheology of polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate by use of a mono-alcohol and a polyol simultaneously. Finally provided is an embodiment of a detergent composition which is prepared by use of the polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate composition described herein, in addition to other commonly known ingredients.

In one embodiment, a polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate composition is provided which includes a polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate, such as sodium laureth ether sulfate (SLES), water, a mono-alcohol, and a polyol. The two alcohols form a synergistic blend, enabling a significant reduction of the viscosity of the polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate composition. Also provided is an embodiment of a method for modifying the rheology of polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate by use of a mono-alcohol and a polyol simultaneously. Finally provided is an embodiment of a detergent composition which is prepared by use of the polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate composition described herein, in addition to other commonly known ingredients.

Disclosed is a near-infrared absorbing composition, including: a near-infrared absorbing agent; and a solvent, wherein the near-infrared absorbing agent includes at least one of the following Component (A) and Component (B): Component (A): a component composed of a compound having a structure of the following general formula (I) and a metal ion; Component (B): a component composed of a metal complex that is obtainable by a reaction of the compound having the structure of the following general formula (I) and a metal compound.

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