Aromatic chromophoric substituted polysiloxane dyes

Abstract

Polymeric dyes of the present invention have the formula: ##STR1## wherein Me represents the methyl group, x can range from 2 to 100, y can range from 20 to 300, and the ratio of x:y is at least 1:10 and is preferably from 1:5 to 1:1. The symbol L represents the divalent group which connects the chromophoric moiety and the polysiloxane moiety together by covalent bonds. L is conveniently a saturated divalent aliphatic group which connects the silicon atom to the chromophoric group by a non-hydrolyzable covalent bond. Chromo represents an aromatic chromophore which imparts color to the polymer molecule. The polmeric dyes of the present invention can be used to dye natural fibers such as silk, wool, and cotton and to color plastics such as nylon, Dynel, Acrilan, acetate, and viscore. In addition, the polymeric dyes can also be used as a food dye when water soluble groups are present (e.g., on the chromophores) to impart water solubility to the polymeric dye. Because of the stability and the high molecular weight of these polymeric dyes, they can be used as colorants for food as well as in pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.