Polyoxyalkylene-containing phosphoric acid esters

A process for treating a cellulosic textile material comprising a wetting step, which process comprises bringing into contact the textile material with an effective amount of a compound or a mixture of compounds of the formula ##STR5## wherein each R, independently, is linear or branched C.sub.9-16 alkyl or C.sub.9-16 alkenyl;

• R.sub.1 has one of the significances given for R.sub.2 or is a radical of formula ##STR6## each R.sub.2, independently, is hydrogen, alkali metal, ammonium or an equivalent of an alkaline earth metal;
• each n", independently, is a number from 2 to 4,
• each p", independently, is a number from 3 to 5,
• each x", independently, is a number from 5 to 7.

In a process wherein a cellulosic textile material is pretreated in an aqueous bath containing a wetting agent, the improvement which comprises employing as the wetting agent an amount of a compound or mixture of compounds of the formula ##STR7## wherein each R, independently, is branched C.sub.9-13 alkyl;

• R.sub.1 has one of the significances given for R.sub.2 or is a radical of formula ##STR8## each R.sub.2, independently, is hydrogen, alkali metal, ammonium or an equivalent of an alkaline earth metal;
• each n", independently, is a number from 2 to 4,
• each p", independently, is a number from 3 to 5,
• each x", independently, is a number from 5 to 7,
• said amount being effective to improve the wetting of said material.