Surface active compounds for use in the paint, varnish and lacquer industries, namely, wetting and dispersing agents in the nature of pigment dispersants for use in the manufacture of water based paints and in the manufacture of water based industrial and protective coatings, wetting agents combined with colorants for use in the manufacture of water based and solvent based coatings, wetting and dispersing agents for use in the manufacture of plastisols, wetting and dispersing agents for use in the manufacture of solvent based paints and of solvent based industrial and protective coatings, pigment dispersing agent for use in the manufacture of high solid coatings, corrosion inhibition agents for use in the manufacture of water based paints, thickening agents for use in the manufacture of water based paints and solvent based paints and coatings, anti-settling, anti-sagging and anti-gelling agents for use in the manufacture of solvent based paints and coatings, coalescing and leveling agents for use in the manufacture of coalescing agents for water based paints, leveling agents for use in the manufacture of solvent based paints and powder coatings, UV curing acrylates for use in the manufacture of coating materials and overprint varnishes and electrostatic resistance reducing agents for use in the manufacture of solvent-based paints; adhesion promoters