Nonionic, cationic and anionic surfactants, derivatives of cis-13-docosenoic acid (erucic acid) have been prepared and characterized, and their performance has been evaluated and compared with the corresponding derivatives of fatty acids with shorter alkyl chain length. Nonionic erucic acid ethoxylates give a solution behavior anticipated from the hydropholic-lipophilc balance of the molecule; however, the incresed molecular size as compared to ordinary surfactants results, eg., in higher temperature stability of the surfactants aggregates. Anomalous solution behavior was found and investigated for anionic surfactants, trithanolammonium salts of erucic acid, and some shorter homolouges. The effects are discussed in terms of the asidbase equilibra of the alkanolammonium counterion and the acid, together with effects due to the molecular size of the counterion.