Asymmetric dichroic dye molecules having poly(arylazo) linking groups, a bis-substituted aryl thiazyl end group, and another end group

A dichroic dyestuff having the formula

• Q--A--Z--
• wherein
• A has the formula ##STR71## wherein m is 0, or an integer from 1 to 6, and x is independently 0, 1, 2 or 4 provided that
• where x is 4, the R groups are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl or alkoxy groups having from about 1 to 8 carbon atoms;
• where x is 2, the R groups are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl or alkoxy groups having from about 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and the two R groups are not substituted on adjacent ring carbon atoms;
• and
• when x is 1 in from 0 to m ##STR72## R is the group --C.dbd.CH--C.dbd.CH--, which is substituted on two adjacent ring carbon atoms;
• Q is selected from the group consisting of ##STR73## wherein B and B' are independently selected from the group consisting of H, C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1, OC.sub.n H.sub.2n+1, phenyl, phenoxy, trifluoromethylsulfonyl, cyano, and thiocyanato, wherein n is an integer from about 1 to 10;
• and
• Z is selected from the group consisting of naphthalene having an alkyl substituted amino in the 4 position, julolidine and 2,3-dihydroperimidine wherein the 2 carbon atom of the perimidine moiety is substituted by groups consisting of alkyls and alkenes having about 1-20 carbon atoms, aryls, and cycloaliphatic and heterocyclic rings, or the 2 carbon atom of the perimidine moiety is substituted with a group which combines with the 2 carbon atom of the perimidine moiety to form a cycloaliphatic or heterocyclic ring said cycloaliphatic or heterocyclic rings having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms and said rings consisting of atoms selected from the group consisting of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur.