Abstract: The use of substituted phthalocyaines for removing stains from fabrics which comprises treating the stained fabrics with an aqueous composition comprising a phthalocyanine in which at least one of the peripheral carbon atoms in the 1-16 position of the phthalocyanine nucleus (M.sub.k Pc) of Formula (1), ##STR1## wherein: M is selected from H, metal, halometal, oxymetal and hydroxymetal; andk is the inverse of 1/2 the valency of M;is linked via an oxygen atom to an aromatic radical and the remaining peripheral carbon atoms are unsubstituted or substituted by any combination of atoms or groups and sulphonated derivatives thereof provided that the phthalocyanine absorbs electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength from 650 nm to 800 nm.

Abstract: A dispersant comprising a polyethyleneimine residue carrying polyester chains derived from a caprolactone and at least one other specified lactone or hydroxycarboxylic acid.

Abstract: A phthalocyanine of Formula (1): ##STR1## wherein: M.sub.k PC is a phthalocyanine nucleus of Formula (2): ##STR2## M is a metal atom, a chloro-metal group, and oxy-metal group or hydrogen; k is inverse of 1/2 valency of M; R and R.sup.1 each independently is an organic radical;R.sup.2 is H or optionally substituted alkyl;a is an average value from 15 to 8;b is an average value from 1 to 8; anda+b is from 15 to 16; and sulphonated derivatives thereof and process for their preparation.The phthalocyanines of the present invention are useful for absorbing electro-magnetic radiation from for example a laser source and may be used in a coating for optical data storage disks, or in security applications such as printing banknotes or cheques, or in the preparation of lithographic printing plates or in washing powders to assist in bleaching.

Abstract: The use of substituted phthalocyanines for the generation of singlet oxygen in which at least one of the peripheral carbon atoms in the 1-16 positions of the phthalocyanine nucleus (M.sub.k Pc) of Formula (1): ##STR1## wherein: M is selected from H, metal, halometal, oxymetal and hydroxymetal; andk is the inverse of 1/2 of the valency of M;is linked via an oxygen atom to an aromatic radical and the remaining peripheral carbon atoms are unsubstituted or substituted by any combination of atoms or groups and sulphonated derivatives thereof provided that the phthalocyanine absorbs electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength from 650 nm to 800 nm.

Abstract: A phthalocyanine of Formula (1): ##STR1## wherein: M.sub.k PC iS a phthalocyanine nucleus of Formula (2): ##STR2## M is a metal atom, a chloro-metal group, and oxy-metal group or hydrogen; k is inverse of 1/2 valency of M;R and R.sup.1 each independently is an organic radical;R.sup.2 is H or optionally substituted alkyl;a is an average value from 15 to 8;b is an average value from 1 to 8; anda+b is from 15 to 16; and sulphonated derivatives thereof and process for their preparation.The phthalocyanines of the present invention are useful for absorbing electro-magnetic radiation from for example a laser source and may be used in a coating for optical data storage disks, or in security applications such as printing banknotes or checks, or in the preparation of lithographic printing plates or in washing powders to assist in bleaching.

Abstract: The use of substituted phthalocyanines for the generation of singlet oxygen in which at least one of the peripheral carbon atoms in the 1-16 positions of the phthalocyanine nucleus (M.sub.k Pc) of Formula (1): ##STR1## wherein: M is selected from H, metal, halometal, oxymetal and hydroxymetal; andk is the inverse of 1/2 of the valency of M; is linked via an oxygen atom to an aromatic radical and the remaining peripheral carbon atoms are unsubstituted or substituted by any combination of atoms or groups and sulphonated derivatives thereof provided that the phthalocyanine absorbs electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength from 650 nm to 800 nm.

Abstract: A benzofuranone of the Formula (1): ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently --H or optionally substituted C.sub.1-20 -alkyl;R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each independently --H or optionally substituted C.sub.1-6 -alkyl;R.sup.5 is selected from --H, --CN, --COOR.sup.10 and --COR.sup.10, in which R.sup.10 is --H or C.sub.1-6 -alkyl;R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 are each independently selected from --H, --NR.sup.1 R.sup.2, --NO.sub.2, halogen, optionally substituted C.sub.1-6 -alkyl and optionally substituted C.sub.1-6 -alkoxy.

Abstract: A benzofuranone of the Formula (1): ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently --H or optionally substituted C.sub.1-20 -alkyl;R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each independently --H or optionally substituted C.sub.1-6 -alkyl;R.sup.5 is selected from --H, --CN, --COOR.sup.10 and --COR.sup.10, in which R.sup.10 is --H or C.sub.1-6 -alkyl;R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 are each independently selected from --H, --NR.sup.1 R.sup.2, --NO.sub.2, halogen, optionally substituted C.sub.1-6 -alkyl and optionally substituted C.sub.1-6 -alkoxy.