Vicinal diol ether derivatives of polyether polymers

A compound according to Formula I below:

• wherein R1 is optionally substituted C1-C12 alkyl;
• R2, R3, R4, and R5 are each independently hydrogen, optionally substituted C1-C12 alkyl, optionally substituted C2-C12 alkenyl, optionally substituted C2-C12 alkynyl, optionally substituted aryl (e.g., phenyl), or
• R2 and R3, R4 and R5, or R3 and R5, are taken together to form an optionally substituted C3-C12 cycloalkyl or optionally substituted C3-C12 cycloalkenyl;
• and
• n is an integer between 0 and 20 (e.g., 0-5).