The present invention provides an amphiphile of the formula (I) as described hereinafter. The invention further relates to a process for preparing the amphiphile and to a composition comprising the amphiphile and a sparingly water-soluble active ingredient. It further relates to a process for producing the composition by contacting the amphiphile and the active ingredient, and to the use of the amphiphile for solubilizing a sparingly water-soluble active ingredient in aqueous solutions. The invention also relates to the use of the amphiphile in an agrochemical formulation comprising the amphiphile and a pesticide for controlling phytopathogenic fungi and/or unwanted vegetation and/or unwanted insect or mite infestation and/or for regulating the growth of plants, and finally to plant propagation material comprising the amphiphile.