The present invention provides means for improving the softening rate in photoirradiation and image fixation property.

The toner according to the present invention includes an azobenzene derivative represented by the following chemical formula (1), and in the chemical formula (1), R.sub.1 to R.sub.10 in the following are groups defined in claim 1.

##STR00001##

The present invention provides means for improving the softening rate in photoirradiation and image fixation property.

The toner according to the present invention includes an azobenzene derivative represented by the following chemical formula (1), and in the chemical formula (1), R.sub.1 to R.sub.10 in the following are groups defined in claim 1.

##STR00001##

The invention concerns a new class of tubulin polymerisation inhibitors and their applications in research and medicine, notably in chemotherapy. The invention proposes new azoaryl derivatives of formula (I):

##STR00001##

as defined in Claim 1, which may be fully reversibly interconverted between non-tubulin-binding trans and tubulin-binding as isomeric forms, either by irradiation or spontaneously. The invention also concerns compounds with a azoaryl structure for use in studying the cytoskeleton and/or its associated processes, or in the treatment of a disease for which a tubulin polymerisation inhibition activity has a beneficial effect, wherein the compound is administered to the cell, organism or patient in need of such treatment in the trans form of the diazenyl bond, and where this trans form is inactive as regards a tubulin polymerisation inhibition effect, and where after photoisomerisation in vitro, in cellulo or in vivo to an azoaryl compound in its cis isomeric form of the diazenyl bond by the application of light, optionally with modification in vitro, in cellulo or in vivo of one or more substituents, the resultant cis form is active as regards a tubulin polymerisation inhibition effect.

An organic material consisting of a -conjugated molecule which is in a liquid form at ambient temperature and use thereof are provided. The ambient temperature liquid-form organic material according to the present invention consists of a -conjugated molecule having 2 or more side chains, the 2 or more side chains are same or different side chains selected from the group consisting of a branched alkyl chain, an alkyl chain having a polymerization site at a terminal, an oligosiloxane chain, a fluorocarbon chain, an oligoethylene glycol chain and derivatives thereof, and each of the 2 or more side chains is bound directly or via a substituent to the -conjugated molecule.

An organic material consisting of a -conjugated molecule which is in a liquid form at ambient temperature and use thereof are provided. The ambient temperature liquid-form organic material according to the present invention consists of a -conjugated molecule having 2 or more side chains, the 2 or more side chains are same or different side chains selected from the group consisting of a branched alkyl chain, an alkyl chain having a polymerization site at a terminal, an oligosiloxane chain, a fluorocarbon chain, an oligoethylene glycol chain and derivatives thereof, and each of the 2 or more side chains is bound directly or via a substituent to the -conjugated molecule.