Abstract: A method of initiating a requested action in a computer system via a printed substrate. The substrate has human-readable information and machine-readable coded data printed thereon. The coded data is indicative of a substrate identity and of a plurality of locations on the substrate. The method comprises the steps of: (a) interacting with the substrate using an optically imaging sensing device; (b) imaging the coded data; (c) generating indicating data in the sensing device using the imaged coded data, the indicating data identifying the substrate identity and a position of the sensing device relative to the substrate; and communicating the indicating data to the computer system so that the computer system can initiate the requested action. The coded data is printed with an ink comprising an IR-absorbing naphthalocyanine dye.

Abstract: A method of enabling entry of data into a computer system via a printed substrate. The substrate has a surface containing human-readable information and machine-readable coded data. The coded data is indicative of an identity of the substrate and of a plurality of reference points on the surface. The method includes the steps of: operatively positioning a sensing device relative to the surface and sensing the coded data; generating indicating data using the sensed coded data; and sending the indicating data to a computer system. The coded data comprises an IR-absorbing dye having a nitrogen-substituted phthalocyanine.

Abstract: A method of initiating a requested action in a computer system via a printed substrate. The substrate contains human-readable information and machine-readable coded data. The method includes the steps of: positioning a sensing device in an operative position relative to the substrate; sensing the coded data; generating indicating data in the sensing device using the sensed coded data; and sending the indicating data to the computer system. The coded data comprises a phthalocyanine salt comprising one or more sulfonate groups. A counterion of at least one sulfonate group is an ammonium cation comprising at least 20 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A system for interacting with a coded substrate. The system comprises a substrate having human-readable information and machine-readable coded data disposed thereon and a sensing device for reading the machine-readable coded data. The coded data comprises an IR-absorbing phthalocyanine dye having sulfonate groups. A counterion of each sulfonate group is a phosphonium cation.

Abstract: A method of preparing a macrocyclic metal cyanine. The method comprises the step of providing a corresponding macrocyclic metal-free cyanine compound dissolved in a solvent and adding a metal reagent thereto. The metal reagent is highly soluble in the solvent and typically comprises one or more organic ligands.

Abstract: A substrate having an IR-absorbing dye disposed thereon.

Abstract: A method of modulating a stability of a sulfonated dye, particularly its ozonefastness. The method comprises providing a salt of the dye, wherein the salt comprises at least one organic cation selected from the group consisting of: a first organic cation having a positive charge delocalized between a nitrogen atom and at least one other heteroatom; a second organic cation having a positive charge delocalized between a nitrogen atom and at least two other atoms; and a third organic cation of formula (A): wherein: Rp, Rq and Rr are each independently selected from a C1-6 alkyl group; s is 0, 1, 2 or 3; and Ar is a C6-12 aryl group or C3-12 heteroaryl group.

Abstract: A salt of a sulfonated dye modulates a stability of the dye, particularly its ozonefastness. The salt comprises an organic cation selected from the group consisting of: a first organic cation having a positive charge delocalized between a nitrogen atom and at least one other heteroatom; a second organic cation having a positive charge delocalized between a nitrogen atom and at least two other atoms; and a third organic cation of formula (A): wherein: Rp, Rq and Rr are each independently selected from a C1-6 alkyl group; s is 0, 1, 2 or 3; and Ar is a C6-12 aryl group or C3-12 heteroaryl group.

Abstract: A phthalocyanine dye of formula (I) is provided: wherein: M is a metal group or is absent; n is 1 or 2; X is selected from —CHR3—, —NR3—, —O— or —S—; R1, R2 and R3 are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-8 alkyl, C1-8 alkoxy, carboxy, carboxy-C1-8 alkyl, hydroxyl, hydroxy-C1-8 alkyl; or R1 and R2, or R2 and R3 together are joined to form a C4-12 aryl or C3-12 heteroaryl group, optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3 or 4 substituent groups, the or each substituent group being independently selected from C1-12 alkyl, C1-12 alkoxy, phenyl-C1-8 alkyl, phenyl-C1-8 alkoxy, —(OCH2CH2)dORd, cyano, halogen, amino, hydroxyl, thiol, —SRv, —NRuRv, nitro, phenyl, phenoxy, —CO2Rv, —C(O)Rv, —OCORv, —SO2Rv, OSO2Rv, —NHC(O)Rv, —CONRuRv, —CONRuRv, sulfonic acid, sulfonic acid salt and sulfonamide; d is an integer from 2 to 5000; Rd is H, C1-8 alkyl or C(O)C1-8 alkyl and Ru and Rv are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-12 alkyl, phenyl or phenyl-C1-8 alkyl.

Abstract: A phthalocyanine phthalocyanine salt suitable for formulation in a solvent-based or oil-based ink vehicle is disclosed. The phthalocyanine comprises one or more sulfonate groups and a counterion of at least one sulfonate group is an ammonium cation comprising at least 15 carbon atoms. Ammonium salts of sulfonated gallium naphthalocyanines exemplify such phthalocyanine salts.

Abstract: An IR-absorbing phthalocyanine dye suitable for formulation in a solvent-based or oil-based ink vehicle is disclosed. The phthalocyanine comprises one or more sulfonate groups and a counterion of at least one sulfonate group is a phosphonium cation. Phosphonium salts of sulfonated gallium naphthalocyanines exemplify such dyes.

Abstract: A method for preparing a macrocyclic metal cyanine, comprising the step of providing a macrocyclic metal-free cyanine precursor and inserting a metal therein using a metal reagent, wherein said metal reagent comprises at least one organic ligand.

Abstract: A method of minimizing visible coloration of a substrate having an IR-absorbing dye disposed thereon. The method includes preselecting the dye such that it includes a moiety for reducing intermolecular interactions between adjacent dye molecules.

Abstract: A method of printing an IR-absorbing dye onto a substrate whilst minimizing visible coloration of the substrate. The method comprises: (i) preselecting the dye from a metal-cyanine of formula (I): Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 are the same or different and are independently selected from a C3-20 arylene group or a C3-20 heteroarylene group; M is selected from Si(A1)(A2), Ge(A1)(A2), Ga(A1), Al(A1), Mn(A1), Fe(A1), Sn(A1)(A2), Pb(A1)(A2); A1 and A2 may be the same or different and are axial ligands comprising a group for reducing {tilde over (?)}? interactions between adjacent dye molecules; and (ii) printing the dye onto the substrate.

Abstract: A substrate having an IR-absorbing dye disposed thereon.

Abstract: An inkjet ink comprising an IR-absorbing dye. The dye is a metal-cyanine complex of formula (I): wherein Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 are the same or different and are independently selected from a C3-20 arylene group or a C3-20 heteroarylene group; M is selected from Ti(A1)(A2), Zr(A1)(A2), V(A1)(A2), Si(A1)(A2), Ge(A1)(A2), Ga(A1), Al(A1), Mn(A1), Fe(A1), Sn(A1)(A2), or Pb(A1)(A2); and A1 and A2 may be the same or different and are axial ligands of formula (IIIa) wherein: C1 represents a core unit having two or more branching positions; each P1 is independently selected from H, a hydrophilic moiety or a branched moiety; g1 is an integer from 2 to 8; q1 is 0 or an integer from 1 to 6; and each p1 is independently selected from 0 or an integer from 1 to 6.

Abstract: A method of preparing a sultine of formula (V) from a dihalogeno compound of formula (IV) is provided. The method comprises reacting the dihalogeno compound (IV) with a hydroxymethanesulfinate salt in a DMSO solvent, wherein: R1, R2, R3 and R4 are each independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxyl, C1-20alkyl, C1-20alkoxy, amino, C1-20alkylamino, di(C1-20alkyl)amino, halogen, cyano, thiol, C1-20alkylthio, nitro, C1-20alkylcarboxy, C1-20alkylcarbonyl, C1-20alkoxycarbonyl, C1-20alkylcarbonyloxy, C1-20alkylcarbonylamino, C5-20aryl, C5-20arylalkyl, C5-20arylalkoxy, C5-20heteroaryl, C5-20heteroaryloxy, C5-20heteroarylalkoxy or C5-20heteroarylalkyl; and X is Cl, Br or I.

Abstract: A phthalocyanine salt suitable for formulation in a solvent-based or oil-based ink vehicle is disclosed. The phthalocyanine comprises one or more sulfonate groups and a counterion of at least one sulfonate group is an ammonium cation comprising at least 15 carbon atoms. Ammonium salts of sulfonated gallium naphthalocyanines exemplify such phthalocyanine salts.

Abstract: A method of effecting a one-pot conversion of a tetrahydronaphthalic anhydride to a benzisoindolenine salt is provided. The method comprises heating the tetrahydronaphthalic anhydride with a reagent mixture comprising ammonium nitrate.

Abstract: A method of preparing a naphthalocyanine is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (i) providing a tetrahydronaphthalic anhydride; (ii) converting said tetrahydronaphthalic anhydride to a benzisoindolenine; and (iii) macrocyclizing said benzisoindolenine to form a naphthalocyanine.