The present invention provides a dye-donor element for use according to thermal dye sublimation transfer. The dye-donor element comprises a support having thereon a dye layer comprising a polymeric binder and a dye corresponding to the following general formula (I):

wherein :

Z represents hydrogen or a substituent,

X represents N-R or

R represents NR³R⁴ or the residue of an aromatic coupling compound E-Q wherein Q is a group displaceable by a diazotised amine;

R¹ represents NR³R⁴, OR¹² or SR¹²;

R² represents hydrogen, cyano, COR¹³, CO₂R¹³, CONR¹⁴R¹⁵, SO₂R¹⁶;

R³ and R⁴ each independently represent hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aryl group, an a heterocyclic group or R³ and R⁴ together with the atoms to which they are attached represent the atoms necessary to complete a ring;

Y represents a substituent;

n represents 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, the substituents being the same or different when n is greater than 1 or two or more Y substituents can form an annelated ring system;

R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ each independently represent hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclic ring or R³ and R⁴ together with the atoms to which they are attached represent the necessary atoms to form a 5- or 6-membered ring or R³ and/or R⁴ together with the atoms to which they are attached and one of the Y-substituents represent the necessary atoms to form a 5- or 6- membered, fused-on heterocyclic ring or R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ together with the atoms to which they are attached represent the necessary atoms to form a 5- or 6- membered ring or R¹³ or R¹⁴ or R¹⁵ or R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ together with one of the Y-substituents and the atoms to which they are attached represent the necessary atoms to form a 5- or 6-membered fused-on heterocyclic ring;

R¹⁶ represents hydroxy, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, NR¹⁷R¹⁸, an aryl group or an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, or R¹⁶ together with one of the Y-substituents and the atoms to which they are attached represent the necessary atoms to form a 5- or 6-membered fused-on heterocyclic ring;

R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ each independently represent hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclic ring or R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ together with the atoms to which they are attached represent the necessary atoms to form a 5- or 6-membered ring.

The present invention further provides a method for making an image using the aforementioned dye donor element.

Verfahren zum Färben oder Bedrucken von hydrophoben, synthetischen, organischen Fasermaterialien, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß wasserunlösliche Azofarbstoffe der allgemeinen Formel verwendet werden, worin X eine Alkylgruppe mit 1 bis 4 Kohlenstoffatomen oder die Phenylgruppe bedeutet, weiche durch Alkylgruppen mit 1 bis 4 Kohlenstoffatomen, Alkoxygruppen mit 1 bis 4 Kohlenstoffatomen, Halogenatome und- _/oder Nitrogruppen substituiert sein kann, und D für den Rest einer aromatischen Diazokomponente steht.

Bei der Anwendung der Azofarbstoffe der vorstehend genannten Formel lassen sich auf den genannten Fasermaterialien, wie solchen aus Celluloseestern, Polyestern, Polyurethanen, Polyolefinen oder Polyamiden lebhafte und klare grünstichig gelbe bis gelbstichig orange Färbungen erzielen, die sehr gut naß-, wach-, abgasund lichtecht sind.

Verbindungen der allgemeinen Formel worin

• R C₁-C₄-Alkyl,
• R, Wasserstoff oder ein nichtionischer Substituent,
• n 0, 1 oder 2,
• R₂ und R₃ unabhängig voneinander Wasserstoff, C₁-C₄-Alkyl, β-Hydroxy-C₂-C₄-alkyl oder Benzyl,
• R₄ und R₅ unabhängig voneinander Wasserstoff, C₁-C₄-Alkyl oder β-Hydroxy-C₂-C₄-alkyl und
• An^(-) ein Anion sind, werden als Kupplungskomponenten bei der Herstellung von Azofarbstoffen verwendet.

The present invention concerns a new class of pigments derived from cumarin and, more particularly, of bis- iminocumarinic and bis-cumarinic pigments having the following formula I described herein before. The present invention also includes novel processes for making the cumarinic pigments of the invention. Also, the invention relates to the use of the novel pigments of the invention for the preparation of paints, storing enamels, inks and pastes for the printing of fabrics. Also, included in this invention is the dyeing of plastic materials with the novel cumarinic pigments.