The amphiphilic properties of S-alkylthiopentono-1,4-lactones (D-ribono-, D-arabinono-, D-xylono-) and Corresponding pentitol derivatives with the general formula Su-SR (R = CnH2n+1) are studied. It was shown that CMC, surface area, CPR and pC20 are influenced by the following structural parameters: alkyl chain length, the number of free hydroxyls, cyclic or acyclic Su structure, and alditol configuration. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.