Derivatives of 4-amino-2-nitrodiphenylamine as dyes for synthetic polymer fibres

The synthesis of a series of substituted 4-amino-2-nitrodiphenylamines is described. These compounds dye synthetic polymer fibres in bordeaux to violet-blue shades of moderate to poor light fastness. Light fastness properties are enhanced by the use of substituents which decrease the basicity of the 4-amino group; such substitution, however, results in colour shifts into the yellow to orange region.