Azothiophenes and mixtures thereof

Abstract

Azothiophene disperse dyes of Formula (1) ##STR1## in which R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 each independently is alkyl or alkenyl and mixtures thereof with other dyes are useful for dyeing synthetic textile material or a fiber blend thereof such as secondary cellulose acetate, cellulose triacetate, polyamide, polyacrylonitrile and aromatic polyester.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to azothiophenes, to mixtures thereof with other dyes and to a process for the coloration of synthetic textile materials with azothiophenes and said mixtures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present azothiophenes are not specifically disclosed but fall within the same general class of azothiophene dyes described in UK Patent 1394365 and further similar dyes are disclosed in EP 588489. The present azothiophenes have advantages in terms of light fastness, pH stability and strength over dyes disclosed in UK Patent 1394365 and EP588489.

According to the present invention, there is provided an azothiophene of Formula (1): ##STR2## in which R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 each independently is alkyl or alkenyl.

The alkyl groups represented by R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are preferably C.sub.1-12 -alkyl, more preferably C.sub.1-6 -alkyl and especially C.sub.1-4 -alkyl. Those alkyl groups represented by R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 which have three or more carbon atoms may be straight or branched chain alkyl groups. The alkenyl groups represented by R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are preferably C.sub.2-12 -alkenyl, more preferably C.sub.2-6 -alkenyl and especially C.sub.2-3 -alkenyl. Preferred azothiophene dyes of Formula (1) are those in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently is C.sub.1-4 -alkyl or C.sub.2-3 -alkenyl and R and R.sup.3 each independently is C.sub.1-4 -alkyl. An especially preferred azothiophene of Formula (1) is that in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are both ethyl and R and R.sup.3 are both methyl.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The dyes of Formula (1) may be prepared by diazotising a 2-aminothiophene of Formula (2): ##STR3## and coupling the resulting diazo compound with an aromatic amine of Formula (3): ##STR4## in which R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are as hereinbefore defined. The diazotisation and coupling may be performed by conventionally used methods and the azothiophenes may be isolated using known techniques.

The azothiophenes of the present invention exist in various crystalline modifications and it is intended that the present definition of the azothiophenes includes such crystalline modifications which may be formed by established treatments such as heat treatment, solvent treatment, recrystallisation or seeding.

According to a further feature of the present invention, there is provided a mixture of dyes comprising an azothiophene of Formula (1) and an azothiophene of Formula (4): ##STR5## in which R.sup.4 is --CN, --Cl, --Br, --NO.sub.2, C.sub.1-4 -alkylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl, C.sub.1-4 -alkylsulphonyl, --COC.sub.1-4 -alkyl, --CONH.sub.2, --CONH(C.sub.1-4 -alkyl) or --CON(C.sub.1-4 -alkyl).sub.2 ;

R.sup.5 is --H, C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, phenyl or --COC.sub.1-4 -alkyl; R.sup.6 is --H, C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, phenyl, NO.sub.2, --CN, --Cl, --Br, --COC.sub.1-4 -alkyl, --CONH.sub.2, --CONH(C.sub.1-4 -alkyl) or --CON(C.sub.1-4 -alkyl).sub.2 ; R.sup.7 is --H, C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy, --Cl, --Br, --NHCOC.sub.1-4 -alkyl or --NHSO.sub.2 C.sub.1-4 -alkyl; R.sup.8 is --H, C.sub.1-4 -alkyl or C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy; and R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 each independently is --H, C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, C.sub.2-4 -alkenyl or C.sub.1-4 -alkyl substituted by --OH, C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy, --CN, phenyl, C.sub.1-4 -alkylCO--, C.sub.1-4 -alkoxyCO--, HOC.sub.1-4 -alkoxy, C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy-C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy, C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy-C.sub.1-4 -alkoxyCO--, --Cl or C.sub.1-4 -alkoxyCOO.

Preferred dyes of Formula (4) are those in which R.sup.4 is --NO.sub.2, --CN or C.sub.1-4 -alkylcarbonyl, R.sup.5 is --H or C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, R.sup.6 is --NO.sub.2 or --CN, R.sup.7 is C.sub.1-4 -alkyl or --NHCOC.sub.1-4 -alkyl, R.sup.8 is --H or C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy, R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 each independently is C.sub.1-4 -alkyl. Especially preferred dyes of Formula (4) are those in which R.sup.4 is --NO.sub.2, R.sup.5 is --H, R.sup.6 is --NO.sub.2, R.sup.7 is --CH.sub.3, --C.sub.2 H.sub.5, --NHCOCH.sub.3, --NHCOC.sub.2 H.sub.5, --NHCOC.sub.3 H.sub.7 or --NHCOCH(CH.sub.3).sub.3, R.sup.8 is --H or --OCH.sub.3 and R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are both --C.sub.2 H.sub.5.

The dye mixtures may be prepared as physical mixtures, by co-crystallisation or co-synthesis.

Mixtures of dyes of Formulae (1) and (4) preferably comprise, on a weight basis, from 5% to 95% of a dye of Formula (1), and from 95% to 5% of a dye of Formula (4), more preferably from 20% to 80% of a dye of Formula (1) and from 80% to 20% of a dye of Formula (4) and especially from 30% to 70% of a dye of Formula (1) and from 70% to 30% of a dye of Formula (4). Other useful mixtures contain from 65% to 75% of a dye of formula (1) and from 35% to 25% of a dye of Formula (4).

According to a further feature of the present invention, there is provided a mixture of dyes comprising an azothiophene of Formula (1) and an azo compound of Formula (5): ##STR6## in which R.sup.11, R.sup.12 and R.sup.13 each independently is --CN, --NO.sub.2, --Cl or --Br,

R.sup.14 is --H, C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, --Cl, --Br, --NHCOC.sub.1-4 -alkyl or --NHSO.sub.2 C.sub.1-4 -alkyl; R.sup.15 --H, C.sub.1-4 -alkyl or C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy; and R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are as herein before defined.

A first preferred dye of Formula (5) is that in which R.sup.11 and R.sup.13 are --CN, R.sup.12 is --NO.sub.2, R.sup.14 is --CH.sub.3, R.sup.15 is --H and R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are both --C.sub.2 H.sub.5.

A second preferred dye of Formula (5) is that in which R.sup.11 is --CN, R.sup.12 is --NO.sub.2, R.sup.13 is --Br, R.sup.14 is --NHCOCH.sub.3, R.sup.15 is --H and R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are both --C.sub.2 H.sub.5.

A third preferred dye of Formula (5) is that in which R.sup.11 is --CN, R.sup.12 is --NO.sub.2, R.sup.13 is --Br, R.sup.14 is --NHCOC.sub.2 H.sub.5, R.sup.15 is --H and R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are both --C.sub.2 H.sub.5.

A fourth preferred dye of Formula (5) is that in which R.sup.11 and R.sup.13 are --CN, R.sup.12 is --NO.sub.2, R.sup.14 is --NHCOCH.sub.3, R.sup.15 is --H and R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are both --C.sub.2 H.sub.5.

A fifth preferred dye of Formula (5) is that in which R.sup.11 and R.sup.12 are --NO.sub.2, R.sup.13 is --CN, R.sup..sup.14 is --NHCOCH.sub.3, R.sup.15 is --H and R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are both --C.sub.2 H.sub.5.

A sixth preferred dye of Formula (5) is that in which R.sup.11 and R.sup.12 are --NO.sub.2, R.sup.13 is --Br, R.sup.14 is --NHCOCH.sub.3, R.sup.15 is --OCH.sub.3 and R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are both --C.sub.2 H.sub.5.

Mixtures of dyes of Formula (1) and (5) preferably comprise from 5% to 95% by weight of a dye of Formula (1) and from 95% to 5% by weight of a dye of Formula (5).

A first preferred mixture of dyes comprises from 10% to 20% of a dye of Formula (1) in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently is C.sub.1-4 -alkyl or C.sub.2-3 -alkenyl and R and R.sup.3 each independently is C.sub.1-4 -alkyl and from 90% to 80% of a dye of Formula (5) in which R.sup.11 is --CN, R.sup.12 is --NO.sub.2, R.sup.13 is --Br, R.sup.14 is --NHCOCH.sub.3, R.sup.15 is --H and R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are both --C.sub.2 H.sub.5.

A second preferred mixture of dyes comprises from 35% to 45% of a dye of Formula (1) in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently is C.sub.1-4 -alkyl or C.sub.2-3 -alkenyl and R and R.sup.3 each independently is C.sub.1-4 -alkyl and from 65% to 55% of a dye of Formula (5) in which R.sup.11 and R.sup.13 are --CN, R.sup.12 is --NO.sub.2, R.sup.14 is --CH.sub.3, R.sup.15 is --H and R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are both --C.sub.2 H.sub.5.

The azothiophene dyes of Formula (1) may advantageously be mixed with other known disperse dyes. As examples of such dyes, there may be mentioned the following dyes or classes of dyes.

One class of disperse dyes which may be mixed with the dyes of Formula (1) comprises azothiophene dyes derived from 2-amino-4-chloro-5-formylthiophene diazo components, for example dyes of the general formula: ##STR7## wherein E represents the residue of a coupling component. Such dyes are described in EP-A-0201896 and include, for example, the dye of the formula: ##STR8##

Another class of disperse dyes which may be mixed with the dyes of Formula (1) comprises azo dyes derived from nitro-substituted aminothiazole diazo compounds, for example dyes of the formula: ##STR9## wherein E represents the residue of a coupling component. As examples of such dyes, there may be mentioned the dyes of the formula: ##STR10##

Another class of disperse dyes which may be mixed with the dyes of Formula (1) comprises azo dyes derived from 3-amino-2,1-benzisothiazole diazo components, for example the dye of the formula: ##STR11##

Further dyes which may be mixed with the dyes of Formula (1) include the anthraquinone dyes of the formulae: ##STR12##

Another class of disperse dyes which may be mixed with the dyes of Formula (1) comprises dicyanovinylpyrroline dyes of the type described in WO94/10248 and GB-A-2191498. As an example of such dyes, there may be mentioned the dye of the formula: ##STR13##

Another class of disperse dyes which may be mixed with the dyes of Formula (1) comprises the 3-dicyanomethylidene-2,3-dihydrothiophen-1,1-dioxide derivatives of the type described in GB-A-2026528. As an example of such dyes, there may be mentioned the dye of the formula: ##STR14##

Another class of disperse dyes which may be mixed with the dyes of Formula (1) comprises yellow monoazo dyes obtained by the use of a hydroxypyridone coupling component, for example a 1,4-dialkyl-3-cyano-6-hydroxypyrid-2-one coupling component. Examples of such dyes include the dyes of the formula: ##STR15##

The disperse dyes of Formulae (6) to (18) may be mixed with dyes of Formula (1) in amounts of from 5-95% by weight of the former to from 95-5% by weight of the latter.

The azothiophenes and the mixtures thereof of the present invention are useful as disperse dyes and are valuable for colouring synthetic textile materials and fibre blends thereof.

According to a further feature of the present invention, there is provided a process for colouring a synthetic textile material or fibre blend thereof which comprises applying to the synthetic textile material an azothiophene of Formula (1) or a mixture thereof with at is least one other disperse dye.

The synthetic textile material may be selected from secondary cellulose acetate, cellulose triacetate, polyamide, polyacrylonitrile and aromatic polyester. The synthetic textile material is preferably polyamide such as polyhexamethylene adipamide or aromatic polyester especially polyethylene terephthalate. Fibre blends may comprise mixtures of different synthetic textile materials or mixtures of synthetic and natural textile materials. Preferred fibre blends include those of polyester-cellulose such as polyester-cotton. The textile materials or blends thereof may be in the form of filaments, loose fibres, yam or woven or knitted fibres.

The azothiophene of Formula (1) or mixtures thereof optionally in conjunction with other disperse dyes may be applied to the synthetic textile materials or fibre blends thereto by processes which are conventionally employed in applying disperse dyes to such materials and fibre blends.

Suitable process conditions may be selected from the following:

i) exhaust dyeing at a pH of from 4 to 6.5, at a temperature of from 125.degree. C. to 140.degree. C. for from 10 to 120 minutes and under a pressure of from 1 to 2 bar, a sequestrant optionally being added; ii) continuous dyeing at a pH of from 4 to 6.5, at a temperature of from 190.degree. C. to 225.degree. C. for from 15 seconds to 5 minutes, a migration inhibitor optionally being added; iii) printing direct at a pH of from 4 to 6.5, at a temperature of from 160.degree. C. to 185.degree. C. for from 4 to 15 minutes for high temperature steaming, or at a temperature of from 190.degree. C. to 225.degree. C. for from 15 seconds to 5 minutes for bake fixation with dry heat or at a temperature of from 120.degree. C. to 140.degree. C. and 1 to 2 bar for from 10 to 45 minutes for pressure steaming, wetting agents and thickeners (such as alginates) of from 5 to 100% by weight of the dye optionally being added; iv) discharge printing (by padding the dye on to the textile material, drying and overprinting) at a pH of from 4 to 6.5, migration inhibitors and thickeners optionally being added; v) carrier dyeing at a pH of from 4 to 6.5, at a temperature of from 95.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. using a carrier such as methylnaphthalene, diphenylamine or 2-phenylphenol, sequestrants optionally being added; and vi) atmospheric dyeing of acetate, triacetate and nylon at a pH of from 4 to 6.5, at a temperature of 85.degree. C. for acetate or at a temperature of 90.degree. C. for triacetate and nylon for from 15 to 90 minutes, sequestrants optionally being added.

In all the above processes, the azothiophene of Formula (1) or mixture thereof is applied as a dispersion comprising from 0.001% to 4% of the azothiophene or mixture thereof in aqueous medium.

Compositions comprising dispersions of the azothiophene of Formula (1) or of mixtures of dyes or Formula (1) and the other disperse dyes mentioned above form further features of the present invention. The compositions typically comprise from 1% to 40% of the azothiophene of Formula (1) or mixture of dyes in an aqueous medium. The compositions are preferably buffered at pH 2 to 7 more preferably at pH 4 to 6.

These dye dispersions may further comprise ingredients conventionally used in coloration applications such as dispersing agents, for example lignosulphonates, naphthalene sulphonic acidformaldehyde condensates or pheno/creso/sulphanilic acid/formaldehyde condensates, surfactants, wetting agents such as alkyl aryl ethoxylates which may be sulphonated or phosphated, inorganic salts, de-foamers such as mineral oil or nonanol, organic liquids and buffers. Dispersing agents may be present at from 10% to 200% on the weight of the azothiophene of Formula (1) or on the weight of mixtures thereof. Wetting agents may be used at from 0% to 20% on the weight of the azothiophene of Formula (1) or on the mixture of dyes.

The dispersions may be prepared by bead milling the azothiophene of Formula (1) or mixture of dyes with glass beads or sand in an aqueous medium. Dispersions may have further additions of dispersing agents, fillers and other surfactants and may be dried, by a technique such as spray drying, to give a solid composition comprising from 5% to 60% of dyestuff.

In addition to the above-mentioned application processes, the azothiophenes of Formula (1) and dye mixtures derived therefrom may be applied to synthetic textile materials and fibre blends by ink-jet printing, the substrates optionally having been pretreated to aid printing. For ink-jet applications, the application medium may comprise water and a water-soluble organic solvent, preferably in a weight ratio of 1:99 to 99:1, more preferably 1:95 to 50:50 and especially in the range 10:90 to 40:60. The water-soluble organic solvent preferably comprises a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkanol, especially methanol or ethanol, a ketone, especially acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, 2-pyrrolidone or N-methylpyrrolidone, a glycol, especially ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, trimethylene glycol, butane-2,3-diol, thiodiglycol or diethylene glycol, a glycol ether, especially ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether or diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, urea, a sulphone, especially bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) sulphone or mixtures thereof.

The azothiophenes of Formula (1) and dye mixtures derived therefrom may also be applied to textile materials using supercritical fluid solvents for example supercritical carbon dioxide, in which case the dye formulating agents may optionally be omitted.

The invention is further illustrated by the following Examples:

EXAMPLE 1

Preparation of: ##STR16##

Sodium nitrite (3.22g) was added to concentrated sulphuric acid (20 cm.sup.3) and the mixture heated to 70.degree. C. and then cooled to 5.degree. C. Further concentrated sulphuric acid (15 cm.sup.3) was added followed by 25 cm.sup.3 of a 86:14 mixture of acetic acid and propionic acid. 2-Amino-3-acetyl-5-nitrthiophene (8.5 g) was then added slowly below 0.degree. C and the mixture stirred at -2.degree. C. to 0.degree. C. for 2 hours and then 0.degree. C. to 2.degree. C. for 3 hours when diazotisation was complete. The solution was then added to a mixture of 3-N,N-diethylaminoacetanilide (10.3 g), methanol (75 cm.sup.3), crushed ice (180 g) and sulphamic acid (1.0 g). The temperature was maintained at 0-5.degree. C. and the pH at 1-2 by the addition of sodium acetate solution. The mixture was stirred at 0-5.degree. C. for 2 hours and then the product was isolated by filtration and washed with water. Yield after drying 12.9 g.

When applied to an aromatic polyester material from an aqueous dispersion, it gives bright greenish-blue shades.

Comparative Data

The application properties of the dye of Example 1 were compared with those of a dye of Formula (6): ##STR17## which is disclosed in EP 588 489 as Example 2. a) by application on polyester dyed at 130.degree. C. for 1 hour the dye of Formula (1) is at least twice as strong as the dye of Formula (6).

b) In a light fastness test (ISO 105:BO2) the light fastness of the dye of Formula (1) is better, having a fastness rating of 4-5 at both pale and heavy depths of shade, than the dye of Formula (6) having a fastness rating of 4. c) the dyes of Formula (1) and Formula (6) were used to dye polyester at pale and heavy depths of shade at 130.degree. C. for 1 hour at pH 4.5, 5.5, 6.5 and 7.5. The strength of the dyeings at each pH were assessed using reflectance colour difference measurements and are summarised in Table 1: ______________________________________ Strength of DyeingDye Depth of Shade pH 4.5 pH 5.5 pH 6.5 pH 7.5______________________________________Example 1 Pale 100 100 100 98.7 Formula 6 Pale 100 100 83.3 43.3 Example 1 Heavy 100 100 100 100 Formula 6 Heavy 100 100 88.3 50.0______________________________________

The following dyes of Formula (1) can be prepared by the procedure of Example 1, by diazotising the appropriate amine and coupling onto the appropriate coupling component.

______________________________________Example R R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3______________________________________ 2 --CH.sub.3 --C.sub.3 H.sub.7 --C.sub.3 H.sub.7 --CH.sub.3 3 --C.sub.2 H.sub.5 --C.sub.2 H.sub.5 --C.sub.2 H.sub.5 --CH.sub.3 4 --CH.sub.3 --C.sub.2 H.sub.5 --C.sub.2 H.sub.5 --C.sub.2______________________________________ H.sub.5

The dyes of Formula (1) can be used in mixtures with other dyes, as shown in the following Examples, for the coloration of aromatic polyester textile material.

EXAMPLES 5-23

Dye A is the dye of Example 1.

Dye B has the structure:

______________________________________ #STR18##Example % A % B______________________________________5 5 95 6 10 90 7 15 85 8 20 80 9 25 75 10 30 70 11 35 65 12 40 60 13 45 55 14 50 50 15 55 45 16 60 40 17 65 35 18 70 30 19 75 25 20 80 20 21 85 15 22 90 10 23 95 5______________________________________

EXAMPLES 24-42

Dye A is the dye of Example 1.

Dye B has the structure:

______________________________________ #STR19##Example % A % B______________________________________24 5 95 25 10 90 26 15 85 27 20 80 28 25 75 29 30 70 30 35 65 31 40 60 32 45 55 33 50 50 34 55 45 35 60 40 36 65 35 37 70 30 38 75 25 39 80 20 40 85 15 41 90 10 42 95 5______________________________________

EXAMPLES 43-61

Dye A is the dye of Example 1.

Dye B has the structure:

______________________________________ #STR20##Example % A % B______________________________________43 5 95 44 10 90 45 15 85 46 20 80 47 25 75 48 30 70 49 35 65 50 40 60 51 45 55 52 50 50 53 55 45 54 60 40 55 65 35 56 70 30 57 75 25 58 80 20 59 85 15 60 90 10 61 95 5______________________________________

EXAMPLES 62-80

Dye A is the dye of Example 1.

Dye B has the structure:

______________________________________ #STR21##Example % A % B______________________________________62 5 95 63 10 90 64 15 85 65 20 80 66 25 75 67 30 70 68 35 65 69 40 60 70 45 55 71 50 50 72 55 45 73 60 40 74 65 35 75 70 30 76 75 25 77 80 20 78 85 15 79 90 10 80 95 5______________________________________

EXAMPLES 81-99

Dye A is the dye of Example 1

Dye B has the structure:

______________________________________ #STR22##Example % A % B______________________________________81 5 95 82 10 90 83 15 85 84 20 80 85 25 75 86 30 70 87 35 65 88 40 60 89 45 55 90 50 50 91 55 45 92 60 40 93 65 35 94 70 30 95 75 25 96 80 20 97 85 15 98 90 10 99 95 5______________________________________

EXAMPLES 100-118

Dye A is the dye of Example 1.

Dye B has the structure:

______________________________________ #STR23##Example % A % B______________________________________100 5 95 101 10 90 102 15 85 103 20 80 104 25 75 105 30 70 106 35 65 107 40 60 108 45 55 109 50 50 110 55 45 111 60 40 112 65 35 113 70 30 114 75 25 115 80 20 116 85 15 117 90 10 118 95 5______________________________________

EXAMPLES 119-137

Dye A is the dye of Example 1.

Dye B has the structure

______________________________________ #STR24##Example % A % B______________________________________119 5 95 120 10 90 121 15 85 122 20 80 123 25 75 124 30 70 125 35 65 126 40 60 127 45 55 128 50 50 129 55 45 130 60 40 131 65 35 132 70 30 133 75 25 134 80 20 135 85 15 136 90 10 137 95 5______________________________________

EXAMPLES 138-156

Dye A is the dye of Example 1.

Dye B has the structure:

______________________________________ #STR25##Example % A % B______________________________________138 5 95 139 10 90 140 15 85 141 20 80 142 25 75 143 30 70 144 35 65 145 40 60 146 45 55 147 50 50 148 55 45 149 60 40 150 65 35 151 70 30 152 75 25 153 80 20 154 85 15 155 90 10 156 95 5______________________________________

EXAMPLES 157-175

Dye A is the dye of Example 1.

Dye B has the structure:

______________________________________ #STR26##Example % A % B______________________________________157 5 95 158 10 90 159 15 85 160 20 80 161 25 75 162 30 70 163 35 65 164 40 60 165 45 55 166 50 50 167 55 45 168 60 40 169 65 35 170 70 30 171 75 25 172 80 20 173 85 15 174 90 10 175 95 5______________________________________

EXAMPLES 176-194

Dye A is the dye of Example 1

Dye B has the structure:

______________________________________ #STR27##Example % A % B______________________________________176 5 95 177 10 90 178 15 85 179 20 80 180 25 75 181 30 70 182 35 65 183 40 60 184 45 55 185 50 50 186 55 45 187 60 40 188 65 35 189 70 30 190 75 25 191 80 20 192 85 15 193 90 10 194 95 5______________________________________

EXAMPLES 195-213

Dye A is the dye of Example 1.

Dye B has the structure:

______________________________________ #STR28##Example % A % B______________________________________195 5 95 196 10 90 197 15 85 198 20 80 199 25 75 200 30 70 201 35 65 202 40 60 203 45 55 204 50 50 205 55 45 206 60 40 207 65 35 208 70 30 209 75 25 210 80 20 211 85 15 212 90 10 213 95 5______________________________________

EXAMPLES 214-232

Dye A is the dye of Example 1.

Dye B has the structure:

______________________________________ #STR29##Example % A % B______________________________________214 5 95 215 10 90 216 15 85 217 20 80 218 25 75 219 30 70 220 35 65 221 40 60 222 45 55 223 50 50 224 55 45 225 60 40 226 65 35 227 70 30 228 75 25 229 80 20 230 85 15 231 90 10 232 95 5______________________________________

EXAMPLES 233--251

Dye A is the dye of Example 1.

Dye B has the structure:

______________________________________ #STR30##Example % A % B______________________________________233 5 95 234 10 90 235 15 85 236 20 80 237 25 75 238 30 70 239 35 65 240 40 60 241 45 55 242 50 50 243 55 45 244 60 40 245 65 35 246 70 30 247 75 25 248 80 20 249 85 15 250 90 10 251 95 5______________________________________

EXAMPLES 252-270

Dye A is the dye of Example 4.

Dye B has the structure:

______________________________________ #STR31##Example % A % B______________________________________252 5 95 253 10 90 254 15 85 255 20 80 256 25 75 257 30 70 258 35 65 259 40 60 260 45 55 261 50 50 262 55 45 263 60 40 264 65 35 265 70 30 266 75 25 267 80 20 268 85 15 269 90 10 270 95 5______________________________________

EXAMPLES 271-289

Dye A is the dye of Example 4.

Dye B has the structure:

______________________________________ #STR32##Example % A % B______________________________________271 5 95 272 10 90 273 15 85 274 20 80 275 25 75 276 30 70 277 35 65 278 40 60 279 45 55 280 50 50 281 55 45 292 60 40 283 65 35 284 70 30 285 75 25 286 80 20 287 85 15 288 90 10 289 95 5______________________________________

EXAMPLES 290-308

Dye A is the dye of Example 4.

Dye B has the structure:

______________________________________ #STR33##Example % A % B______________________________________290 5 95 291 10 90 292 15 85 293 20 80 294 25 75 295 30 70 296 35 65 297 40 60 298 45 55 299 50 50 300 55 45 301 60 40 302 65 35 303 70 30 304 75 25 305 80 20 306 85 15 307 90 10 308 95 5______________________________________

EXAMPLES 309-327

Dye A is the dye of Example 3.

Dye B has the structure:

______________________________________ #STR34##Example % A % B______________________________________309 5 95 310 10 90 311 15 85 312 20 80 313 25 75 314 30 70 315 35 65 316 40 60 317 45 55 318 50 50 319 55 45 320 60 40 321 65 35 322 70 30 323 75 25 324 80 20 325 85 15 326 90 10 327 95 5______________________________________

EXAMPLES 328-346

Dye A is the dye of Example 3.

Dye B has the structure:

______________________________________ #STR35##Example % A % B______________________________________328 5 95 329 10 90 330 15 85 331 20 80 332 25 75 333 30 70 334 35 65 335 40 60 336 45 55 337 50 50 338 55 45 339 60 40 340 65 35 341 70 30 342 75 25 343 80 20 344 85 15 345 90 10 346 95 5______________________________________

EXAMPLES 347-365

Dye A is the dye of Example 3

Dye B has the structure:

______________________________________ #STR36##Example % A % B______________________________________347 5 95 348 10 90 349 15 85 350 20 80 351 25 75 352 30 70 353 35 65 354 40 60 355 45 55 356 50 50 357 55 45 358 60 40 359 65 35 360 70 30 361 75 25 362 80 20 363 85 15 364 90 10 365 95 5______________________________________

Claims

1. An azothiophene of Formula (1): ##STR37## in which R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 each independently is alkyl or alkenyl.

2. An azothiophene according to claim 1 in which each of R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is C.sub.1-4 -alkyl.

3. An azothiophene according to claim 2 in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are both ethyl and R and R.sup.3 are both methyl.

4. A dye mixture comprising an azothiophene according to claim 1 and an azothiophene of Formula (4): ##STR38## in which R.sup.4 is --CN, --Cl, --Br, --NO.sub.2, C.sub.1-4 -alkylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl, C.sub.1-4 -alkylsulphonyl, --COC.sub.1-4 -alkyl, --CONH.sub.2, --CONH(C.sub.1-4 -alkyl) or --CON(C.sub.1-4 -alkyl).sub.2 ;

R.sup.5 is --H, C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, phenyl or --COC.sub.1-4 -alkyl;

R.sup.6 is --H, C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, phenyl, NO.sub.2, --CN, --Cl, --Br, --COC.sub.1-4 -alkyl, --CONH.sub.2, --CONH(C.sub.1-4 -alkyl) or --CON(C.sub.1-4 -alkyl).sub.2 ;

R.sup.7 is --H, C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy, --Cl, --Br, --NHCOC.sub.1-4 -alkyl or --NHSO.sub.2 C.sub.1-4 -alkyl;

R.sup.8 is --H, C.sub.1-4 -alkyl or C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy; and

R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 each independently is --H, C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, C.sub.2-4 -alkenyl or C.sub.1-4 -alkyl substituted by --OH, C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy, --CN, phenyl, C.sub.1-4 -alkylCO--, C.sub.1-4 -alkoxyCO--, HOC.sub.1-4 -alkoxy, C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy-C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy, C.sub.1-4 alkoxy-C.sub.1-4 -alkoxyCO--, --Cl or C.sub.1-4 -alkoxyCOO.

5. A mixture according to claim 4 wherein the dye of Formula (4) has a structure in which R.sup.4 is --NO.sub.2, R.sup.5 is --H, R.sup.6 is --NO.sub.2, R.sup.7 is --CH.sub.3, --C.sub.2 H.sub.5, --NHCOCH.sub.3, --NHCOC.sub.2 H.sub.5, --NHCOC.sub.3 H.sub.7 or --NHCOCH(CH.sub.3).sub.3, R.sup.8 is --H or --OCH.sub.3 and R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are both --C.sub.2 H.sub.5.

6. A dye mixture comprising an azothiophene according to claim 1 and an azo compound of Formula (5): ##STR39## in which R.sup.11, R.sup.12 and R.sup.13 each independently is --CN, --NO.sub.2, --Cl or --Br;

R.sup.14 is --H, C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, --Cl, --Br, --NHCOC.sub.1-4 -alkyl or --NHSO.sub.2 C.sub.1-4 -alkyl;

R.sup.15 is --H, C.sub.1-4 -alkyl or C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy; and

R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 each independently is --H, C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, C.sub.2-4 -alkenyl or C.sub.1-4 -alkyl substituted by --OH, C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy, --CN, phenyl, C.sub.1-4 -alkylCO--, C.sub.1-4 -alkoxyCO--, HOC.sub.1-4 -alkoxy, C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy-C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy, C.sub.1-4 -alkoxy-C.sub.1-4 -alkoxyCO--, --Cl or C.sub.1-4 -alkoxyCOO.

7. A mixture according to claim 6 wherein the dye of Formula (5) has one of the following structures:

(a) wherein R.sup.11 and R.sup.13 are --CN, R.sup.12 is --NO.sub.2, R.sup.14 is --CH.sub.3, R.sup.15 is --H and R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are both --C.sub.2 H.sub.5,

(b) wherein R.sup.11 is --CN, R.sup.12 is --NO.sub.2, R.sup.13 is --Br, R.sup.14 is --NHCOCH.sub.3, R.sup.15 is --H and R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are both --C.sub.2 H.sub.5.

(c) wherein R.sup.11 is --CN, R.sup.12 is --NO.sub.2, R.sup.13 is --Br, R.sup.14 is --NHCOC.sub.2 H.sub.5, R.sup.15 is --H and R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are both --C.sub.2 H.sub.5.

(d) wherein R.sup.11 and R.sup.13 are --CN, R.sup.12 is --NO.sub.2, R.sup.14 is --NHCOCH.sub.3, R.sup.15 is --H and R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are both --C.sub.2 H.sub.5.

(e) wherein R.sup.11 and R.sup.12 are NO.sub.2, R.sup.13 is --CN, R.sup.14 is --NHCOCH.sub.3, R.sup.15 is --H and R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are both --C.sub.2 H.sub.5.

(f) wherein R.sup.11 and R.sup.12 are --NO.sub.2, R.sup.13 is --Br, R.sup.14 is --NHCOCH.sub.3, R.sup.15 is --OCH.sub.3 and R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are both --C.sub.2 H.sub.5.

8. A dye mixture comprising an azothiophene according to claim 1 and a disperse dye having one of the following structures: ##STR40##

9. A composition comprising a dispersion of an azothiophene according to claim 1 in an aqueous medium.

10. A process for colouring a synthetic textile material or fibre blend thereof which comprises applying thereto an azothiophene according to claim 1.

11. A process for colouring a synthetic textile material or fibre blend thereof which comprises applying thereto a dye mixture according to claim 4.