Polycyclic dyes

A process for the preparation of a polycyclic dye of Formula I:

• ##STR17## by reacting a phenyltartronic acid of Formula II:
• ##STR18## wherein:
• W is --NR.sup.1 R.sup.2 or --OR.sup.3 ;
• R.sup.3 is H or C.sub.1-20 -alkyl, C.sub.2-20 -alkenyl, C.sub.4-8 -cycloalkyl or phenyl-C.sub.1-4 -alkylene group each of which is unsubstituted or is substituted by a group selected from alkyl, alkoxy, nitro, halogen, alkoxyalkoxy, cyclohexyl, phenyl, diphenyl, hydroxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxyalkoxy carbonyl, alkoxycarbonyloxy, alkoxyalkoxycarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonyloxy, cyano and amino in which each alkyl is C.sub.1-4 -alkyl;
• R.sup.1 & R.sup.2 are each independently H or C.sub.1-20 -alkyl, C.sub.2-20 -alkenyl, C.sub.4-8 -cycloalkyl, phenyl-C.sub.1-4 -alkylene or phenyl group each of which is unsubstituted or is substituted by a group selected from alkyl, alkoxy, nitro halogen, alkoxyalkoxy, cyclohexyl, phenyl, diphenyl, hydroxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxyalkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyloxy, alkoxyalkoxycarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonyloxy, cyano and amino in which each alkyl is C.sub.1-4 -alkyl;
• or
• R.sup.1 & R.sup.2 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached from a piperidino or morpholino group;
• or
• R.sup.1 or R.sup.2 together with the nitrogen atom and the adjacent carbon atom of Ring B form a tetrahydroquinolinyl group;
• and
• Ring B is unsubstituted, apart from the group W, or is substituted by from one or two further groups selected from alkyl;
• alkenyl;
• alkoxy;
• alkoxyalkoxy;
• alkoxycarbonyalkoxy;
• alkoxyalkoxycarbonyl alkoxy;
• alkylcarbonyloxyalkoxy;
• cyanoalkoxy;
• hydroxyalkoxy;
• chlorine;
• bromine;
• hydroxy;
• alkylthio;
• arylthio;
• aryloxy;
• alkylcarbonyl and alkylsulphonyl;
• in which the alkyl or alkenyl contains up to 4 carbon atoms and the aryl is phenyl;
• with either (a) a compound of Formula III:
• ##STR19## wherein, Z.sup.1 & Z.sup.2 are each --O--;
• X.sup.1 & X.sup.2 are each independently selected from H, halogen, cyano, alkyl, aryl, carbamoyl, sulphamoyl, COOH and carboxylic acid ester;
• &
• Ring A is unsubstituted or is substituted by from one to three groups selected from alkyl;
• alkenyl;
• alkoxy;
• alkoxyalkoxy;
• alkoxycarbonylalkoxy;
• alkoxyalkoxycarbonylalkoxy;
• alkylcarbonyloxyalkoxy;
• cyanoalkoxy;
• hydroxyalkoxy;
• chlorine;
• bromine;
• hydroxy;
• akylthio;
• arylthio;
• aryloxy;
• alkylcarbonyl and alkylsulphonyl;
• in which the alkyl or alkenyl contains up to 4 carbon atoms and the aryl is phenyl;
• NHCOC.sub.1-4 -alkyl;
• --NHSO.sub.2 C.sub.1-4 -alkyl;
• NR.sup.1 R.sup.2 and OR.sup.3, wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are as hereinbefore defined;
• or (b) a compound of Formula IV:
• ##STR20## wherein Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2, X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 are as hereinbefore defined;
• and oxidation of the intermediate compound to dehydrogenate the peripheral heterocyclic rings.