Surfactant compositions comprising an alkoxylate, a sulfate, or ether sulfate of a C.sub.10-C.sub.12 monounsaturated alcohol are disclosed. The alkoxylate, sulfate, or ether sulfate may derive from undecylenic acid or undecylenic alcohol. Compared with their saturated analogs, the monounsaturated alkoxylates, sulfates, and ether sulfates are less irritating, making them valuable for personal care, laundry, cleaners, and other household applications. Microscopy studies show that the alkoxylates, sulfates, and ether sulfates have favorable phase behavior over a wide range of actives levels, expanding opportunities for products with greater compaction. When combined with cationic surfactants, the alkoxylates, sulfates, and ether sulfates exhibit synergy, and they have improved solubility compared with their saturated analogs. The surfactants find value for the personal care, laundry and cleaning, emulsion polymerization, agricultural products, oilfield applications, and specialty foams industries.

Provided are surfactant compositions that are useful as alternatives to alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) type surfactants in emulsion polymerization. The surfactant compositions comprise: an alkyl alkoxylate sulfate of formula (I): RO(C.sub.3H.sub.6O).sub.x(C.sub.2H.sub.4O).sub.yS0.sub.3M, wherein R, x, y, and M are as defined herein.

Provided are surfactant compositions that are useful as alternatives to alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) type surfactants in emulsion polymerization. The surfactant compositions comprise: an alkyl alkoxylate sulfate of formula (I): RO(C.sub.3H.sub.6O).sub.x(C.sub.2H.sub.4O).sub.yS0.sub.3M, wherein R, x, y, and M are as defined herein.

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 polyalkoxylate 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 polyalkoxylate 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.