A surfactant of formula 1 (R.sub.f-A).sub.a-Q-([B].sub.k--R).sub.b Formula 1 wherein a and b are each independently 1 or 2; R.sub.f is a linear or branched perfluoroalkyl radical having from 2 to about 20 carbon atoms, optionally interrupted with at least one oxygen; R is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 linear, branched or cyclic alkyl, or a C.sub.6 to C.sub.10 aryl; B is --(CH.sub.2CHR.sup.1O).sub.x--, k is 0 or 1, x is 1 to about 20, A is --(CH.sub.2).sub.m[(CHR.sup.1CH.sub.2O)].sub.s--[(CH.sub.2).sub.m(CH).- sub.tCHOH(CH.sub.2).sub.m].sub.e--,wherein each m is independently 0 to 3, s is 0 to about 30, t is 0 or 1, and e is 0 or 1, R.sup.1 is H or CH.sub.3, Q is: --OP(O)(O.sup.-M.sup.+)(O)--, --O--, --S--(CH.sub.2).sub.m--C(O)--O--, --SO.sub.2--O-- --CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O--C(O)CH.sub.2C(OH)(V)CH.sub.2C(O)O--; --(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.xCH.sub.2CH(OH)--(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.x--(CH- .sub.2).sub.m--Si[OSi(R.sup.2).sub.3].sub.2--, --SO.sub.2NR.sup.2--, --(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.zC(O)CH(SO.sub.3.sup.-M.sup.+)CH.sub.2C(O)(OCH.- sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.z-- wherein z is 1 to about 15, or a bond when s is a positive integer, V is --C(O)OR.sup.3 and R.sup.3 is H, CH.sub.3 or R.sub.f; R.sup.2 is C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl, and M.sup.+ is a Group 1 metal or an ammonium (NH.sub.xR.sup.2.sub.y).sup.+ cation wherein x+y=4, and R.sup.2 is C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl, provided that when Q is --OP(O)(O.sup.-M.sup.+)(O)-- or when Q is --(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.z--C(O)CH(SO.sub.3.sup.-M.sup.+)CH.sub.2C(O)(OC- H.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.z--, then at least one of s or e is a positive integer.