Oxyalkylene-substituted aminophenol intermediate

Abstract

This invention relates to very specific oxyalkylene-substituted aminophenol compounds as intermediates for the production of poly(oxyalkylene)-substituted xanthene (or other type) colorants. Such an inventive intermediate compound is produced in a single step by reacting an oxyalkylene oxide having from 3 to 12 carbon atoms (branched or unbranched), glycidol, or a glycidyl directly with aminophenol without the use of a catalyst and at a relatively low temperature. Propylene oxide and m-aminophenol are the preferred reactants. The propylene oxide selectively reacts with the amine group on the m-aminophenol without propoxylating the phenolic hydroxyl group. Such a specific method thus does not require extra time- and cost-consuming steps of protecting the phenolic hydroxyl group from attack. After production, this intermediate may be reacted with suitable compounds to ultimately form any number of different colorants, including xanthenes, oxazines, coumarins, and the like. The resultant oxypropylene groups may subsequently be reacted with electrophile compounds to produce any number of different colorants. Resultant colorants produced through the reaction of the inventive intermediate are also contemplated within this invention.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.