Polyoxyalkylene ether having hydroxyl and sulfonate groups and their use in the preparation of dispersable polyurethanes

Polyoxylalkylene ether with an average molecular weight of 400 to 10,000 with at least one terminal hydroxyl group and at least one lateral -SO3X group (X=hydrogen, alkali metal or ammonium ion) is disclosed. The polyoxyalkylene ether is obtainable by The statistical or blockwise addition reaction of (a) alpha -alkylene oxides with 2 to 14 carbon atoms or mixtures hereof and (b) allyl and/or methallyl glycidyl ethers to monohydric to quadrihydric aliphatic alcohols with up to 8 carbon atoms, the ratio of component (a) to component (b) being selected so that at least one allyl ether group is linked to the average molecule, reacting the polymer by a known reaction with, based on the allyl ether groups, at least equimolar amounts of a compound of the formula HSO3Y (Y=alkali or ammonium ion) and if necessary, exchanging the cation Y against a hydrogen ion also by a known procedure. The compounds are suitable as polyol components for the preparation of stable, ionic, aqueous polyurethane dispersions with a high solids content.