Nonionic surfactants were synthesized by interaction of lauric acid (LA) with propylene oxide (PO) and epichlorohydrin (ECH). The synthesis was conducted in two directions. In the first way, initially, ester of LA with PO was synthesized, then, ECH was added to it. In the second direction, at first, ester of LA with ECH was obtained, then, PO was added. Condensation reactions of both type were carried out at 150-160 degrees C in the presence of triethyl amine catalyst. Through interaction of (chloro)propoxy derivatives of LA with ethanolamines cationic surfactants were produced. Depending on disposition consequency of ECH and PO units in the head group of the cationic surfactants and the number of ethylol groups linked with the nitrogen atom, the character of the surfactants colloidal-chemical parameters change was established and, with this purpose, electroconductometric and tensiometric measurements were made. When studying petroleum-collecting capacity of the obtained nonionic and cationic surfactants, it was revealed that they are effective for collecting thin petroleum films from the surface of waters having a large range of mineralization. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.