Water-based ink for ink-jet recording, ink cartridge, ink-jet recording apparatus and method of stabilizing water-based ink for ink-jet recording

A water-based ink for ink jet recording comprising a coloring agent and water, wherein the coloring agent comprises a dye represented by the following general formula (1), and

• in the ink, an amount of ethylene glycol is set so as to satisfy the following condition (D):
• 3.5X−5≦Y2≦X+10 (D)
• X:
• an amount of a dye represented by general formula (1) relative to a total amount of the ink (wt %)
• Y2:
• an amount of ethylene glycol relative to a total amount of the ink (wt %)
• wherein in the general formula (1),
• R1, R2, Y1, and Y2 each represents a monovalent group, provided that R1, R2, Y1, and Y2 may be the same or different;
• X1 and X2, each independently, represents an electron attractive group, provided that X1 and X2 may be the same or different;
• Z1 and Z2, each independently, represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, provided that Z1 and Z2 may be the same or different;
• and
• M represents a hydrogen atom or a cation.

A method of stabilizing a water-based ink for ink jet recording comprising a coloring agent and water, wherein

• the coloring agent comprises a dye represented by the following general formula (1), and
• the ink is stabilized by setting an amount of glycerin so as to satisfy the following condition (A) in the ink:
• 3.5X−5≦Y1≦3.5X (A)
• X:
• an amount of a dye represented by general formula (1) relative to a total amount of the ink (wt %)
• Y1:
• an amount of glycerin relative to a total amount of the ink (wt %)
• wherein the amount of glycerin relative to a total amount of the ink (Y1) is 8.5 wt % or lower;
• wherein in the general formula (1),
• R1, R2, Y1, and Y2 each represents a monovalent group, provided that R1, R2, Y1, and Y2 may be the same or different;
• X1 and X2, each independently, represents an electron attractive group, provided that X1 and X2 may be the same or different;
• Z1 and Z2, each independently, represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, provided that Z1 and Z2 may be the same or different;
• and
• M represents a hydrogen atom or a cation.

A method of stabilizing a water-based ink for ink jet recording comprising a coloring agent and water, wherein

• the coloring agent comprises a dye represented by the following general formula (1), and the ink is stabilized by setting an amount of ethylene glycol so as to satisfy the following condition (D) in the ink:
• 3.5X−5≦Y2≦X+10 (D)
• X:
• an amount of a dye represented by general formula (1) relative to a total amount of the ink (wt %)
• Y2:
• an amount of ethylene glycol relative to a total amount of the ink (wt %)
• wherein in the general formula (1),
• R1, R2, Y1, and Y2 each represents a monovalent group, provided that R1, R2, Y1, and Y2 may be the same or different;
• X1 and X2, each independently, represents an electron attractive group, provided that X1 and X2 may be the same or different;
• Z1 and Z2, each independently, represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, provided that Z1 and Z2 may be the same or different;
• and
• M represents a hydrogen atom or a cation.