Pyrophosphobetaines

A compound of the formula ##STR26## wherein A is selected from --O.sup.-, --OM and --O--Y--R.sup.+ with the proviso that at least one A is --O.sup.- ;

• X.sup.- is an anion;
• z is an integer from 0 to 3;
• R is an amidoamine moiety of the formula ##STR27## R.sup.1 is selected from alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, or hydroxyalkyl of from 5 to 22 carbon atoms each, aryl or alkaryl of up to 20 carbon atoms;
• R.sup.2 is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl of alkenyl of up to 6 carbon atoms each or cycloalkyl of up to 6 carbon atoms, or polyoxyalkylene of up to 10 carbon atoms;
• R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are the same or different and are selected from alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or carboxyalkyl of up to 6 carbon atoms and polyoxyalkylene of up to 10 carbon atoms;
• in addition, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 taken together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, may represent an N-heterocycle, in which the Y radical is bonded to a ring atom of said N-heterocycle other than the nitrogen of the R moiety;
• n is an integer from 2 to 12;
• Y is selected from alkylene, optionally interrupted by up to 3 oxygen atoms, of up to 12 carbon atoms, or substituted alkylene substituted with alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxy or hydroxyalkyl, of not more than 10 carbon atoms each;
• M is selected from hydrogen, an organic radical selected from alkyl or hydroxyalkyl of up to 6 carbon atoms, polyhydroxyalkyl of up to 10 carbon atoms, glyceryl, cycloalkyl of up to 6 carbon atoms, aryl or arylalkyl of up to 10 carbon atoms, or a salt radical selected from alkali metals and alkaline earth metals.