Amine compounds and their use as zero or low VOC neutralizers

1. A compound of formula I:

or a salt or zwitterion thereof,

wherein R and R 1 are each H;

R 4 is H or linear or branched C 1 -C 3 alkyl;

R 2 and R 3 are independently linear or branched C 1 -C 6 alkyl, or R 2 , R 3 , together with the carbon to which they are attached, form C 3 -C 8 cycloalkyl; and

R 5 is H or linear or branched C 1 -C 6 alkyl optionally substituted with: OH, C(═O)OH, C(═O)NH 2 , SH, CH 3 S, HOOCCH(NH 2 )CH 2 S—S—CH 2 —, phenyl, hydroxyphenyl, imidazolyl, or indoyl; or

R 4 and R 5 , together with the atoms to which they are attached, form a pyrrolidine ring optionally substituted with OH.

2. The compound of claim 1 wherein R 5 is H.

3. The compound of claim 1 wherein R 5 is unsubstituted linear or branched C 1 -C 6 alkyl.

4. The compound of claim 1 wherein R 5 is linear or branched C 1 -C 6 alkyl substituted with OH or C(═O)OH.

5. The compound of claim 1 that is: N-[2-(amino)-2-methylpropyl]-glycine; 2-((2-amino-2-methylpropyl)amino)propanoic acid; 2-((2-amino-2-methylpropyl)amino)-3-methylbutanoic acid; 2-((2-amino-2-methylpropyl)amino)-4-methylpentanoic acid; 2-((2-amino-2-methylpropyl)amino)-3-hydroxypropanoic acid; 2-((2-amino-2-methylpropyl)amino)-3-hydroxybutanoic acid; 2-((2-amino-2-methylpropyl)amino)succinic acid; or 2-((2-amino-2-methylpropyl)amino)pentanedioic acid.

6. A method for neutralizing an aqueous formulation identified as in need of neutralization, the method comprising using, as a neutralizing agent in the formulation, the compound of claim 1 .

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the formulation is an aqueous based paint or coating, or a cleaning product.

8. An aqueous based paint or coating comprising a neutralizing agent, a binder, a carrier, and an optional pigment, wherein the neutralizing agent is a compound of claim 1 .

9. A cleaning formulation comprising a neutralizing agent, a surfactant, and water, wherein the neutralizing agent is a compound of claim 1 .