Studies of novel monomeric and polymeric azo disperse dyes

A series of polymeric dyes were synthesized by free-radical addition polymerization of monomeric dyes that were derived from diazotized 2-amino-3,5-bis(,ethoxycarbonyl)-4-methylthiophene by coupling with various N-arylmaleimides. All the polymeric dyes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and visible spectroscopy, viscometry, and TGA. Color and dyeability of the polymeric dyes are discussed by comparing them with those of the corresponding monomeric dyes. All the dyes have been found to give various color shades with good to very good depth and levelness on the fiber. The dyeing of the monomeric dyes shows good fastness to light and very good to excellent fastness to washing, perspiration, sublimation, and solvents. The corresponding polymeric dyes show excellent fastness properties. The percentage dyebath exhaustion and fixation on the fiber have been found to be good to very good (60-90%). (C) 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.