Organic amine salt compounds having CO2-donating anions and their use as foaming agent

A foaming agent which comprises alkanolamine salt compounds of the following general formula (I) or a mixture of alkanolamine salt compounds of the following general formula (I):

• An−[Bm+]p (I)
• wherein An− is carbonate CO32−, and n=2;
• Bm+ is an organic amine (B) cation having m of —+NR3R4H groups and/or —+NR3H—groups;
• wherein m=1, 2, 3, 4, or 5;
• p=2/m;
• and
• wherein, R3 and R4 are independently chosen from the group consisting of:
• H and R;
• provided that:
• the alkanolamine salt compounds of the general formula (I) have at least one R group linked to its N atom(s);
• wherein the R group is HOCH2CH2—, HOCH2CH(CH3)—, or HOCH(CH3)CH2—;
• wherein a water content in the foaming agent is 5-30 wt % based on a total weight of the foaming agent, a total content of the compounds of the general formula (I) and water in the foaming agent is 99-100 wt %, based on the total weight of the foaming agent, and a pH of the foaming agent is 8-10;
• wherein the foaming agent is prepared by a reaction of a first material with a second material in the presence of water, wherein the first material is one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of the following compounds:
• ammonium carbamate, (NH4)2CO3, and organic amine compound (M) salt of carbonic acid;
• the second material is one or more selected from ethylene oxide, and propylene oxide;
• wherein the organic amine compound (M) is an organic amine compound selected from the group consisting of following compounds:
• methylamine, ethylamine, propylamine, or butylamine;
• dimethylamine, diethylamine, methyl ethyl amine, dipropyl amine, or methyl propyl amine;
• ethylene diamine, N-methyl-ethylene diamine, N,N′-dimethyl ethylene diamine, 1,3-propylene diamine;
• butanediamine, pentanediamine, or hexanediamine;
• diethylene triamine, triethylenetetraamine, or tetraethylenepentamine;
• 1,3,5-triamino cyclohexane;
• and
• monoethanolamine, monopropanol amine, monoisopropanolamine, or monobutanolamine.