An aqueous alkali-surfactant solution having a hydroxide molarity of from 2 to 9 M that comprises alkali and a surfactant having a boron-centered head group positioned terminally in a linear or branched aliphatic or aryl hydrocarbon chain comprising from 4 to 10 carbon atoms. The boron-centered head group can be selected from boronic acids and their derivatives. Boronic acid alkali-surfactant treatment processes, such as cleaning, chemical pulping, mercerization, metal processing, leather processing, food processing, and personal beauty care. The process comprises the step of contacting a substrate with an effective amount of an aqueous boronic acid alkali-surfactant composition.
