Bisazo compounds and process for the preparation thereof

A bisazo compound represented by the following general formula I:

• A--N.dbd.N--E--N.dbd.N'A' I
• wherein,
• A and A' may be the same or different, and represent the following general formula II:
• ##STR58## (wherein, Y is --(CONH)n--X or --COR,
• Y' is --(CONH)n--X' or --COR', and
• X and X' may be the same or different, and represent an optionally substituted aromatic group or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group having a conjugated double bond),
• n represents an integer of 1 or 2,
• R and R' may be the same or different, and represent a hydroxy group, an optionally branched alkoxy group having 1-6 carbon atoms, a benzyloxy group, a phenoxy group, or a phenacyloxy group,
• R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom, an optionally branched alkyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms, an acyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms or a phenylalkyl group;
• Q represents an optionally branched alkyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms, an optionally branched alkoxy group having 1-6 carbon atoms, a halogen atom, a nitro group or a nitroso group, and m represents an integer from 0 to 3, and
• when one of R and R' represents a hydroxy group, it may optionally form an acceptable salt;
• E represents a cyclic group having a conjugated double bond.