A novel approach for improving the light fastness of crystal violet lactone

Colour formers are important as functional dyes for imaging and data recording systems. Metal complexes of substituted arylsulphonic acids or arylcarboxylic acids have been synthesised to prolong the life of coloured species derived from crystal violet lactone. The suppressing effect of these compounds towards photofading was investigated on cellulose. It was found that zinc and nickel salts of 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid and its derivatives can be applied as effective stabilisers against the fading of crystal violet lactone. The protecting effect of phenyl esters against fading was also examined.