Synthesis and evaluation of non-genotoxic direct dyes

Non-genotoxic diamines 2,2'-dimethyl-5,5'-dipropoxybenzidine and 5,5'-dipropoxy-benzidine were employed as potential alternatives to benzidine in the synthesis and evaluation of new direct dyes for cotton. Assessment of the resultant dyes indicated that both diamines can be used to prepare new direct dyes having colors and fastness properties that make them comparable to commercial direct dyes, and that the structures of the new direct dyes can be confirmed by negative ion electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS). The mutagenic properties of new direct dyes were established using the standard Ames Salmonella mammalian mutagenicity assay.