The present invention provides compounds useful as surfactants having formula (1), including isomers thereof:
wherein a and b are integers independently selected from about 3 to about 6; x is an integer from about 1 to about 12; (m+n) is from about 1 to about 4; the R1 groups are independently selected from the group consisting of linear, cyclic, and branched alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, and alkylaryl groups having from about C3 to about C30 atoms; and when (m+n) is equal to or greater than 2, each R1 may be independently R2 or R3, wherein R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of linear, cyclic, and branched alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, and alkylaryl groups having from about C3 to about C30 atoms. The invention also provides a method for reducing surface tension in a waterborne composition or an industrial process by the incorporation of a surfactant having formula (1) and an aqueous composition comprising a surfactant having formula (1). The invention further provides a product prepared by the reaction of a N,N′-bis(polyhydroxyalkyl)alkylenediamine with a glycidyl ether.