New fluorescent indolium and quinolinium dyes for applications in aqueous halide sensing

The extensive amount of work which has been carried out to increase disperse dye substantivity for cellulosic fibres is critically assessed. From the viewpoint of the practical colourist it is important that such systems should be operable in aqueous media. A water soluble acylating agent, sodium benzoylthioglycollate, (BTG) was therefore synthesised and characterised. The stability of BTG to hydrolysis in aqueous media was determined, together with its reactivity towards other nucleophiles.