Photochromism of Cationic Azo Dyes Containing 2,4-Dimethylimidazole

2,4-디메틸이미다졸환을 가지는 아조계 카디온염료의 포토크로미즘

Cationic azo dyes were synthesized by coupling aniline and its derivatives with 2,4-dimethyl imidazole as a coupler, and their photochromic behavior was investigated. The dyes exhibited little photochromism on wool, but to a considerable degree on Dacron T92(anionic modified polyester), the photochromism being prominent for the dye with electron-releasing substituent on diazo component. Little photochromism on wool can be attributed to a decreased mobility of dye by the various interactions between the dye and wool molecules, which interferes the cis-trans isomeriation of dye. On Dacron T92 there can not be any obstacle for the cis-trans isomerization of dye, hence reversible color change may occur. The electron-releasing substituent on diazo component may be helpful for the photochromism of dye by increasing the n-electron density of phenyl ring, which can stabilize the cis-form of the dye by the interaction with the positive charge of imidazole ring.