The present invention is an anthraquinone compound represented by formula (1) (in the formula. R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-C12 linear or branched alkyl group, or a C1-C12 linear or branched alkoxy group, and R.sub.2 represents a substituent represented by: formula (a) (in formula (a), R.sub.3 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-C8 linear or branched alkyl group, a C1-C8 linear or branched alkoxy group, or a substituent represented by CH.sub.2OR.sub.4, where R.sub.4 represents a C1-C8 linear or branched alkyl group); or formula (b) (in formula (b). R.sub.5 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-C8 linear or branched alkyl group, or a substituent represented by CH.sub.2OR.sub.6, where R.sub.6 represents a C1-C8 linear or branched alkyl group)). ##STR00001##

The present disclosure relates generally to multimeric dyes, colored dielectric polymer materials, methods of making them and uses thereof. In particular, the application concerns a colored dielectric polymer material comprising a multimeric dye with structure

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wherein each D is independently a chromophoric unit; each L is independently absent or is a linking group comprising no more than 10 atoms in length as measured in the shortest path from D to A; A is a bridging group; and n is an integer in the range of 1 to 3.

New dichroic dyes having a composition with slave materials. The dyes may be used for a dichroic polymer network, a dichroic liquid crystalline polymer film (LCP film) or a dichroic liquid crystalline polymer gel, which for instance find application as electro-optical or optical devices.

The present invention is an anthraquinone compound represented by formula (1) (in the formula, R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen atom, a straight chain or branched chain alkyl group having a carbon count of 1-12, or a straight chain or branched chain alkoxy group having a carbon count of 1-12. R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom, a straight chain or branched chain alkyl group having a carbon count of 1-8, or a straight chain or branched chain alkoxy group having a carbon count of 1-8). R.sub.2 may be a straight chain or branched chain alkyl group having a carbon count of 1-8. R.sub.1 may be a straight chain or branched chain alkoxy group having a carbon count of 1-8, or may be a straight chain or branched chain alkyl group having a carbon count of 1-4. The present invention also relates to a dimming liquid crystal composition containing this anthraquinone compound and a liquid crystal material. The present invention also relates to a dimming element obtained by sandwiching the dimming liquid crystal composition or a photocured product thereof between a pair of substrates disposed facing each other, at least one among which is a transparent substrate having a transparent electrode.

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