Abstract: An anthrapyridone composition of the formula: is disclosed, where “A” and “B” are independently selected from substituted or unsubstituted cyclic ketone groups having from about 10 to about 20 ring carbon atoms; “a” is an integer having a value from 0-4, R1-R4 are monovalent substituents; with the proviso that when “a” is 0, R1 is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen, an alkyl group, a secondary amino group and an aminosulphonyl group; and R2-R4 are substituents selected form the group consisting of a hydroxyl group, an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, a heterocyclic group, a halogen atom, a cyano group, a carbonyl containing group, an amino group and a sulphonyl-containing group. The anthrapyridones are useful as thermally stable colorants for producing colored polymer resins and articles that require high temperature polymer processing conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for producing a 1-[4-(biphenyl-4-carbonyl)]phenylaminonthraquinone colorant composition where the method comprises: reacting 4-halobenzoic acid with about 1 mole to about 4 moles of a halogenating agent per mole of said 4-halobenzoic acid to form a 4-halobenzoyl halide composition; reacting in the presence of a first catalyst composition, said 4-halobenzoyl halide composition with biphenyl, in a solvent, to form a 1-[4-(biphenyl-4-carbonyl)]halobenzene composition, and reacting in the presence of a second catalyst composition and an acid scavenger, said 1-[4-(biphenyl-4-carbonyl)]phenylaminonthraquinone with a 1-aminoanthraquinone, in a reaction medium comprising a dipolar aprotic solvent, to form said 1-[4-(biphenyl-4-carbonyl)]phenylaminoanthraquinone colorant composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for producing a 1-[4-(biphenyl-4-carbonyl)]phenylaminoanthraquinone colorant composition where the method comprises: reacting 4-halobenzoic acid with about 1 mole to about 4 moles of a halogenating agent per mole of said 4-halobenzoic acid to form a 4-halobenzoyl halide composition; reacting in the presence of a first catalyst composition, said 4-halobenzoyl halide composition with biphenyl, in a solvent, to form a 1-[4-(biphenyl-4-carbonyl)]halobenzene composition; and reacting in the presence of a second catalyst composition and an acid scavenger, said 1-[4-(4-phenylbenzoyl)]halobenzene composition with a 1-aminoanthraquinone, in a reaction medium comprising a dipolar aprotic solvent, to form said 1-[4-(biphenyl-4-carbonyl)]phenylaminoanthraquinone colorant composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for producing a 1-[4-(biphenyl-4-carbonyl)]phenylaminoanthraquinone colorant composition where the method comprises: reacting 4-halobenzoic acid with about 1 mole to about 4 moles of a halogenating agent per mole of said 4-halobenzoic acid to form a 4-halobenzoyl halide composition; reacting in the presence of a first catalyst composition, said 4-halobenzoyl halide composition with biphenyl, in a solvent, to form a 1-[4-(biphenyl-4-carbonyl)]halobenzene composition; and reacting in the presence of a second catalyst composition and an acid scavenger, said 1-[4-(4-phenylbenzoyl)]halobenzene composition with a 1-aminoanthraquinone, in a reaction medium comprising a dipolar aprotic solvent, to form said 1-[4-(biphenyl-4-carbonyl)]phenylaminoanthraquinone colorant composition.