A process can be used for manufacturing a coloured moulding composition with an improved optical appearance and a particularly high thermal stability. The process involves providing a thermoplastic polymer and adding a colouring preparation, or a liquid composition or a master batch containing the colouring preparation. Injection moulded parts and extruded parts can be composed of the coloured moulding composition.

A process can be used for manufacturing a coloured moulding composition with an improved optical appearance and a particularly high thermal stability. The process involves providing a thermoplastic polymer and adding a colouring preparation, or a liquid composition or a master batch containing the colouring preparation. Injection moulded parts and extruded parts can be composed of the coloured moulding composition.

Provided is a composition which can be used for formation of an optical film having high quality and a high dichroic ratio even after the composition is stored for a predetermined period of time. The composition includes a compound represented by the general formula (A) and a compound represented by the general formula (B), wherein R.sup.1a in the general formula (A) and R.sup.1b in the general formula (B) are mutually different groups.

R.sup.1a—Ar.sup.1a—N═N—Ar.sup.2a—N═N—Ar.sup.3a—R.sup.10a   (A)

R.sup.1b—Ar.sup.1b—N═N—Ar.sup.2b—N═N—Ar.sup.3b—R.sup.10a   (B)

Provided is a composition which can be used for formation of an optical film having high quality and a high dichroic ratio even after the composition is stored for a predetermined period of time. The composition includes a compound represented by the general formula (A) and a compound represented by the general formula (B), wherein R.sup.1a in the general formula (A) and R.sup.1b in the general formula (B) are mutually different groups.

R.sup.1a—Ar.sup.1a—N═N—Ar.sup.2a—N═N—Ar.sup.3a—R.sup.10a   (A)

R.sup.1b—Ar.sup.1b—N═N—Ar.sup.2b—N═N—Ar.sup.3b—R.sup.10a   (B)

A dichroic bis-azo biphenyl dye of the following formula:

##STR00001##

The substituents R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 are alkyl (C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1) or alkenyl (C.sub.nH.sub.2n−1) groups with n=1-18. At least one substituent among R.sub.1R.sub.2R.sub.3R.sub.4 is different from the other substituents. A benzidine-free method of making a dichroic bis-azo biphenyl dye is provided in which the biphenyl portion of the dye is formed from different first and second mono-azo dyes by a cross-coupling reaction, which may be a Suzuki reaction. A polarizer is formed from a photoaligned layer of the bis-azo biphenyl dye on a substrate and exhibits a dichroic ratio of at least 40. Chemical modification of the photoaligned bis-azo biphenyl dye layer creates a broad-band thin film polarizer with low light scattering and high thermal and photo tolerances.

A dichroic bis-azo biphenyl dye of the following formula:

##STR00001##

The substituents R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 are alkyl (C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1) or alkenyl (C.sub.nH.sub.2n−1) groups with n=1-18. At least one substituent among R.sub.1R.sub.2R.sub.3R.sub.4 is different from the other substituents. A benzidine-free method of making a dichroic bis-azo biphenyl dye is provided in which the biphenyl portion of the dye is formed from different first and second mono-azo dyes by a cross-coupling reaction, which may be a Suzuki reaction. A polarizer is formed from a photoaligned layer of the bis-azo biphenyl dye on a substrate and exhibits a dichroic ratio of at least 40. Chemical modification of the photoaligned bis-azo biphenyl dye layer creates a broad-band thin film polarizer with low light scattering and high thermal and photo tolerances.

The present invention relates to dyes of formula (1) ##STR00001##
a process for preparing them and their use for dyeing and printing hydroxyl- and/or carboxamido-containing materials.

The present invention relates to dyes of formula (1) ##STR00001##
a process for preparing them and their use for dyeing and printing hydroxyl- and/or carboxamido-containing materials.

Disclosed is a group of azo quencher compositions useful as fluorescence quenchers having the general structure of formula 1, methods of making or using the compositions, and kits comprising the composition. ##STR00001##

A process can be used for manufacturing a coloured moulding composition with an improved optical appearance and a particularly high thermal stability. The process involves providing a thermoplastic polymer and adding a colouring preparation, or a liquid composition or a master batch containing the colouring preparation. Injection moulded parts and extruded parts can be composed of the coloured moulding composition.