The present invention provides a method for preparing a colour-stable preparation of a magnesium chlorophyllin alkali metal salt or alkali earth metal salt from natural sources of chlorophyll. The invention further provides a colour-stable and substantially pure pigment composition comprising a vibrant green magnesium chlorophyllin in the form of an alkali metal or alkali earth metal salt, e.g. those prepared by the methods of the invention, and the use of the salts and compositions of the invention as colouring agents, in particular as food colouring agents, and as medicaments and disinfectants.

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation, also on an industrial scale, of indocyanine green of formula (I) (ICG, 1 H-benz[e]indole, 2-[7-[1,3-dihydro-1,1-dimethyl-3-(4-sulfobutyl)-2H-benz[e]indol-2-ylidene]-1,3,5-heptatrienyl]-1,1-di-methyl-3-(4-sulfobutyl) hydroxide, inner salt, sodium salt, CAS RN 3599-32-4) with a total impurity content <0.5% and % and single impurity <0.10%, MeOH free, purity determined by a new analytical method HPLC at the wavelength of 254 nm, and the related composition with stable NaI, which is water soluble and has NaI content <2.5%.

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There are provided: a near-infrared non-absorbing black azo pigment having a sufficient blackness, having an excellent durability such as solvent resistance, and having a novel skeleton; and a colorant that uses the black azo pigment and is useful for forming a black matrix or a light-shielding film. The black azo pigment is represented by the following formula (1), wherein R.sub.1 represents an aryl group optionally having a substituent. In addition, the colorant contains the black azo pigment and is suitable as a material or the like for forming a black matrix for a color filter or for forming a light-shielding film. ##STR00001##

A solid colorant including a. 30-97 wt % of a pigment, b. less than 5 wt % of a solvent c. 3-40 wt % surfactants and wherein: the ratio S/A [Std dev of the particle size distribution/average particle size] of the solid colorant is <25%, preferably <22% and more preferably <20%, wherein wt % is relative to the total weight of the solid colorant, and wherein the particle size distribution is determined with light scattering with fully automated image analysis according to ISO 13322-1 Static image analysis First edition 2004 Dec. 1 by the use of the OCCHIO ZEPHYR ESR analyzer. A process for making the solid colorant, and the use of the solid colorant for tinting base paints by volumetric dosing of the solid colorant to the base paint.

This invention relates to non-bleeding, non-staining occult particles for use in granular or powdered laundry care compositions such as laundry detergents, laundry aids, and fabric care compositions. The occult particles are comprised of a clay carrier and a coloring agent and are characterized as being substantially indiscernible when contained in the laundry care composition.

The present invention involves an improved process for the preparation of Indocyanine green of Formula (I) having high purity of about 99%, wherein the process comprises steps of reacting 1,1,2-trimethyl-1H-benzo[e]indole with 1,4-butane sulfone in boiling solvent to give 4-(1,1,2-trimethyl-1H-benzo[e]indolium-3-yl)butane-1-sulfonate. Followed by reacting 4-(1,1,2-trimethyl-1H-benzo[e]indolium-3-yl)butane-1-sulfonate of Formula (IV) and N-phenyl-N-((1E,3E,5E)-5-(phenylimino)penta-1,3-dienyl)acetamide of formula (V) in presence of sodium acetate and alcohol; and extracting the title compound formula (I) with an ester solvent. ##STR00001##

Composite phthalocyanine microparticles of a nano-order level, preferably on the order of 100 nm, that are optimal as a coloring material are provided; and a method for producing the same. The method for producing composite phthalocyanine microparticles includes a step (1) for preparing a dissolved solution by dissolving at least copper phthalocyanine and titanyl phthalocyanine and/or cobalt phthalocyanine as raw materials in a first solvent, a step (2) for precipitating composite phthalocyanine by mixing the dissolved solution obtained in step (1) with a second solvent that serves as a poor solvent of the abovementioned raw materials, and a step (3) for causing an organic solvent to act on the composite phthalocyanine obtained in step (2). Also provided are composite phthalocyanine microparticles containing at least copper phthalocyanine and titanyl phthalocyanine and/or cobalt phthalocyanine, the composite phthalocyanine microparticles having an aspect ratio of 1.1-2.5 and a particle size of 5-100 nm.

The invention relates to a method for providing an amount of pigment in which, when glycosidic bonds of a polysaccharide structure are cleaved, pigments contained in the polysaccharide structure, in particular pigments comprising color, luminous and/or flame-retardant pigments, are released and the amount of pigment is formed by the pigments released in this manner.

A process for applying a fluorescent leak detection dye to a component of an air conditioning system. The process involves the steps of (i) providing a fluorescent dye that is solid at room temperature, (ii) exposing the dye to an elevated temperature to melt the dye into a liquid or flowable state, (iii) injecting, channeling, spraying or placing the flowable dye into or on a component or an HVAC or A/C system, (iv) allowing the dye to resolidify in or on the component, (v) attaching the component to the HVAC or A/C system, and (iv) dissolving the resolidified dye in a liquid/gas.

The present invention involves an improved process for the preparation of Indocyanine green of Formula (I) having high purity of about 99%, wherein the process comprises steps of reacting 1,1,2-trimethyl-1H-benzo[e]indole with 1,4-butane sulfone in boiling solvent to give 4-(1,1,2-trimethyl-1H-benzo[e]indolium-3-yl)butane-1-sulfonate. Followed by reacting 4-(1,1,2-trimethyl-1H-benzo[e]indolium-3-yl)butane-1-sulfonate of Formula (IV) and N-phenyl-N-((1E,3E,5E)-5-(phenylimino)penta-1,3-dienyl)acetamide of formula (V) in presence of sodium acetate and alcohol; and extracting the title compound formula (I) with an ester solvent.

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