Novel sulfonate compounds

The invention relates to novel sulfonate compounds of formula (I) or (II): wherein the R1 are selected from hydrocarbon radicals having 4 to 26 C atoms and optionally at least one O or s atom; R2 to R5 are each independently selected from hydrogen and hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 26 carbon atoms and optionally at least one O or s atom; the R6 are each independently selected from hydrogen and hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, wherein the two radicals R.6 optionally, as indicated by the dashed line, are joined together to form a five-or six-membered ring comprising the carbonyl carbon; and each X is independently selected from monovalent and polyvalent cations X.n+, wherein n ≥ 1, including H.+In formula (I), both X together optionally represent a polyvalent cation; and a process for their preparation and their use as surfactants.