A ketal amide has a structure represented by formula (I):wherein R is hydrogen or C1-8 alkyl; R1 is substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated C1-36 alkyl, or an alkylene oxide of the formula (CnH2nO)pCnH2nORa wherein n is 1-4, p is 1-1000 and Ra is H or CnH2n+1 wherein n is 1 to 4, R2 is hydrogen or C1-3 alkyl, each R3, R4, and R5 is independently hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl, R6 is hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl, R7 is C1-6 alkyl substituted with 1-4 hydroxyl groups, a is 0-3, and b is 0-1. Methods to prepare the ketal amide and compositions containing the ketal amide are also disclosed.