Abstract: An azo compound of the following formulae (I) or (II): ##STR1## wherein Q.sub.1 represents a phenyl group or a naphthyl group, Q.sub.2 represents a phenyl group; R represents hydroxy group; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy group or a halogen atom; R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy group or a substituted amino group; and X represents --NH--, --NHCO-- or --N.dbd.N--; or a salt thereof;and a polarizing film containing the same.

Abstract: A tetrakisazo compound of the formulae: ##STR1## wherein Q.sup.1 represents a phenyl or naphthyl group, Q.sup.2 represents a phenyl which is substituted by at least one substituent selected from a hydroxy group and an amino group, and R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, a lower alkyl group, a lower alkoxy group or a substituted or unsubstituted amino group, or a salt thereof, and a polarizing film which comprises the tetrakisazo compound or a salt thereof and which may further comprise other organic dyes.

Abstract: A reactive metal formazan blue dye represented by a free acid of the formula, ##STR1## wherein A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 are independently a substituted or unsubstituted phenylene or naphthylene group, B is a straight or branched alkyl or alkenyl group, a phenyl group, a naphthyl group or a heterocyclic group, the alkyl, alkenyl, phenyl, napthyl and heterocyclic group being substituted or unsubstituted, Me is an ion of metal identified by an atomic number of 27 to 29, X is --O-- or ##STR2## Y is a halogen atom, Z is a group capable of imparting water solubility, each of l, m and n is 0 or an integer of 1 to 3, provided that the sum of l, m and n is from 1 to 4, D is a substituted or unsubstituted phenylene or naphthylene group, R is a substituted or unsubstituted lower alkyl group, and Q is --SO.sub.2 CH.dbd.CH.sub.2 or --SO.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.

Abstract: In a process for producing an anthraquinone dye intermediate, 1,4-diamino-2,3-dicyanoanthraquinone, by reacting 1,4-diaminoanthraquinone-2-sulfonic acid, a salt thereof, 1,4-diaminoanthraquinone-2-cyanoanthraquinone, 1,4-diamino-2,3-disulfonic acid, or a salt thereof with a cyanogenating agent in an aqueous medium, the yield and quality of the product can be improved markedly by carrying out the reaction in the presence of a quaternary ammonium compound, and further, depending upon the starting material used, in the presence or absence of a dehydrogenating agent.