Abstract: In order to attain high mobility, large on/off current ratio and excellent storage stability to organic transistor comprising an organic semiconductor layer, the organic semiconductor layer comprises at least one compound represented by the general formula (1).

Abstract: The invention provides novel compounds useful as intermediates for the production of polymethine compounds containing a desired counter ion with high purity and in high yields. Thus provided are polymethine ether compounds of the general formula (I) given below and a method of producing polymethine compounds which comprises bringing those compounds into contact with an acid. In the above formula, R represents an alkyl group, an alkoxyalkyl group or an aryl group which may optionally be substituted, R1 and R2 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, nitro group, alkyl group, alkoxyalkyl group, alkoxy group or alkoxyalkoxy group and R1 and R2 may be bound to each other to form a ring; R3 represents an alkyl group, which may optionally be substituted; L is an alkylene group required for the formation of a ring structure; and X represents a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, alkylthio group, arylthio group or substituted amino group.

Abstract: A novel nonsolvate-form crystal of polymethine compound is provided which has good stability in solution, shows a high gram extinction coefficient, is excellent in storage stability, is easy to handle and is highly sensitive to general-purpose semiconductor lasers. Thus is provided a nonsolvate-form crystal of polymethine compound of the formula (I) given below as well as a process for producing the nonsolvate-form crystal of polymethine compound of formula (I) which comprises reacting a polymethine ether compound of the formula (II) given below with hydrochloric acid or hydrobromic acid. (In the above formula, X represents Cl or Br.) (In the above formula, R represents an alkyl group, an alkoxyalkyl group or an optionally substituted aryl group.

Abstract: The invention provides novel compounds useful as intermediates for the production of polymethine compounds containing a desired counter ion with high purity and in high yields. Thus provided are polymethine ether compounds of the general formula (I) given below and a method of producing polymethine compounds which comprises bringing those compounds into contact with an acid. In the above formula, R represents an alkyl group, an alkoxyalkyl group or an aryl group which may optionally be substituted, R1 and R2 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, nitro group, alkyl group, alkoxyalkyl group, alkoxy group or alkoxyalkoxy group and R1 and R2 may be bound to each other to form a ring; R3 represents an alkyl group, which may optionally be substituted; L is an alkylene group required for the formation of a ring structure; and X represents a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, alkylthio group, arylthio group or substituted amino group.

Abstract: The object is to provide a novel nonsolvate-form crystal of polymethine compound which has good stability in solution, shows a high gram extinction coefficient, is excellent in storage stability, is easy to handle and is highly sensitive to general-purpose semiconductor lasers. Thus are provided a nonsolvate-form crystal of a polymethine compound of the formula (I) and a process for producing the nonsolvate-form crystal of polymethine compound of formula (I) which comprises reacting a polymethine ether compound of the formula (II) given below with p-toluenesulfonic acid. (In the above formula, TsO represents the p-toluenesulfonic acid residue.) (In the above formula, R represents an alkyl group, an alkoxyalkyl group or an optionally substituted aryl group.

Abstract: An optical recording medium having a recording layer which contains at least one compound selected from the group consisting of mono-, di-, and triazaporphyrin compounds optionally in the form of a metal complex; or an optical recording medium comprising a substrate and formed thereon at least a recording layer containing an organic dye as a main component, characterized in that the organic dye has a first maximum value of absorption at a wavelength ?1 of 400 nm or less in the absorption spectrum and has a second maximum value of absorption at a longer-wavelength side than the ?1, and a wavelength band wherein the refractive index (n) and the absorption coefficient (k) of the above organic dye satisfy n?1.90 and 0.03?k?0.30.

Abstract: An optical recording medium containing in the recording layer a dipyrromethene-metal chelate compound of which the initial principal weight loss temperature is thermogravimetrically from 330° C. through 500° C. inclusive, capable of high speed and high density recording and playback with a laser having a wavelength of 520 to 690 nm.

Abstract: The invention provides novel compounds which show high sensitivity to near-infrared rays in the region of 750-950 nm and, when processed to give films and so forth, undergo only slight discoloration and retain high transparency, hence can be used as near-infrared absorbing materials, together with an intermediate thereof. Thus provided are polymethine compounds of the general formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an alkoxy group, R3 represents an alkyl group, which may optionally be substituted, L represents an alkylene group necessary for the formation of a cyclic structure, X represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a substituted amino group, and Z represents an acidic residue, as well as near-infrared absorbing materials comprising the same.

Abstract: A recordable optical recording medium of this invention capable of good recording and reproduction with a laser at wavelengths of 300 to 500 nm and/or 500 to 700 nm comprises at least one porphycene compounds optionally chelated with a metal in its recording layer.

Abstract: An optical recording medium comprising at least a recording layer and a reflecting layer on a substrate wherein the recording layer contains at least one dipyrromethene-metal chelate compound represented by general formula (1): wherein R1 to R6 independently represent hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, hydroxyl, amino, carboxyl, sulfo, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl with up to 20 carbon atoms, alkoxy, alkylthio, aryloxy, arylthio, alkenyl, acyl, alkoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, acylamino, aralkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; R7 represents halogen, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, alkylthio, aryloxy or arylthio; A represents substituted or unsubstituted aromatic or heterocyclic ring with up to 20 carbon atoms; L1 represents substituted or unsubstituted bivalent residue forming a ring together with carbon atoms to which it attaches and optionally containing a hetero atom; and M1 represents transition metal element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel phthalocyanine compound which absorbs in a near-infrared region of 700˜1000 nm with little absorption in the visible region of the spectrum and can be applied with advantage to a near-infrared light-absorbing filter for plasma display, a secret ink and other applications and to a process for producing the phthalocyanine compound. The above phthalocyanine compound has the following general formula (I). A near-infrared light-absorbing material containing the same is also provided.

Abstract: A novel optical recording medium having at least a recording layer and a reflective layer on a substrate is herein disclosed, wherein at least one dipyrromethene metal chelate compound represented by formula (1) is contained in the recording layer: wherein R1 and R9 are each independently an alkenyl group, an aryl group or a heteroaryl group; R2 to R8 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, acyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aralkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group having 20 or less carbon atoms; and M is a transition metal.

Abstract: The invention provides near infrared absorbing materials showing high light-to-heat conversion efficiency and high sensitivity to lasers whose emission bands are within the range of 750 nm to 900 nm, original plates for direct printing plate making, and novel compounds which can be applied to such absorbing materials and plates. The compounds are polymethine compounds of the general formula (I) A detailed description of general formula (I) may be found in the specification. wherein R1 represents an alkoxy group which may be substituted; R2 represents an alkyl group which may be substituted; R3 and R4 each represents a lower alkyl group or R3 and R4 taken together represent a ring; X represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a substituted amino group; Y represents an alkoxy group which may be substituted or an alkyl group which may be substituted; Z represents a charge neutralizing ion.

Abstract: The invention provides near infrared absorbers showing high light-to-heat conversion efficiency and high sensitivity to laser beams whose emission region is within the range of 750 nm to 900 nm, plates for direct printing plate making, and novel compounds which can be used in such absorbers or plates. The compounds are polymethine compounds of the general formula (I) shown below and the near infrared absorbers comprise the polymethine compounds.

Abstract: A color former composition which is composed of a mixture of the color formers 3-diethylamino-6-methyl-7-(2′,4′-dimethylanilino)fluoran and 3-dibutylamino-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran in defined amounts. Further compositions contain mixtures of color formers including one or both of these fluoran compounds and the color formers 3-dibutylamino-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran and/or 3-diethylamino-6-methyl-7-(3′-methylanilino)fluoran. Microcapsules containing the color former compositions can be prepared from a composition which also contains an organic solvent and can be used to prepare a pressure sensitive or thermal recording material. The mixture of color formers can provide a higher concentration in various organic solvents and/or can be used with less expensive solvents.

Abstract: A novel optical recording medium having at least a recording layer and a reflective layer on a substrate is herein disclosed, wherein at least one dipyrromethene metal chelate compound represented by formula (1) is contained in the recording layer: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.9 are each independently an alkenyl group, an aryl group or a heteroaryl group; R.sub.2 to R.sub.8 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, acyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aralkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group having 20 or less carbon atoms; and M is a transition metal.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel phthalocyanine compounds, their intermediates and a process for their preparation. The inventive phthalocyanine compound absorbs in the near infrared region of the spectrum with a high absorption coefficient which features high solubility in solvents, good compatibility with resins and high aging resistance, thus finding application as a near infrared ray absorbing material or a light-heat conversion material with great advantage and to a process for producing the phthalocyanine compound. The novel phthalocyanine compound has the following general formula: ##STR1## wherein R represents alkyl or alkoxyalkyl; X represents halogen, alkylthio, phenylthio which may be substituted, or naphthylthio which may be substituted; M represents a couple of hydrogen atoms, a divalent metal, or a trivalent or tetravalent metal derivative. The near infrared ray absorbing and light-heat conversion materials containing the above phthalocyanine compound are also described.

Abstract: A photothermal conversion material showing high sensitivity to the light of a semiconductor laser having an emission frequency band of 750 nm.about.900 nm with a high photothermal conversion efficiency and a planographic original plate fabricated by using the transducer are provided. This photothermal conversion material comprises a phthalocyanine compound of the following general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 .about.R.sub.8 each represents alkyl or alkoxyalkyl; X.sub.1 .about.X.sub.8 each represents sulfur or NR.sub.9, where R.sub.9 is hydrogen or alkyl.

Abstract: An optical recording medium having at least a recording layer and a reflective layer on a substrates, the said recording layer contains a dipyrromethene metal chelate compound obtained from a dipyrromethene compound represented by the general formula (1) and a metal ion: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 to R.sup.7 are defined in the specification.

Abstract: The invention provides near infrared absorbing materials showing high light-to-heat conversion efficiency and high sensitivity to lasers whose emission bands are within the range of 750 nm to 900 nm, original plates for direct printing plate making, and novel compounds which can be applied to such absorbing materials and plates. The compounds are polymethine compounds of the general formula (I) A detailed description of general formula (I) may be found in the specification. wherein R1 represents an alkoxy group which may be substituted; R2 represents an alkyl group which may be substituted; R3 and R4 each represents a lower alkyl group or R3 and R4 taken together represent a ring; X represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a substituted amino group; Y represents an alkoxy group which may be substituted or an alkyl group which may be substituted; Z represents a charge neutralizing ion.