The present invention is directed to novel compounds, methods of manufacture and methods of use. The present invention is also directed to solid drug/active agent particles having one or more of the compounds of the present invention associated with the surface thereof. The compounds of the present invention are comprised of a non-polar polyether covalently linked to an anionic sulfonate group. The compounds have an amphipathic quality and preferably, are surface active. Such compounds are preferably useful as surface-active agents to coat and stabilize dispersions of particles in a continuous liquid medium. These surface-active agents may be applied in the stabilization of suspensions, emulsions, or liposome formulations intended for pharmaceutical, medical, cosmetic, or agricultural use. The particles that can be prepared by a variety of methods and will preferably comprise a pharmaceutical agent. Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be used to treat a myriad of conditions and can be administered by many routes, including intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intrathecal, subdural, intracameral, intracerebral, intralesional, topical, oral, buccal, rectal, transcutaneous, pulmonary, and nasal.