Abstract: Disclosed are a novel crystal form of the fluoran compound represented by formula (I) as characterised by specific X-ray powder diffraction pattern and melting range; process for the preparation of said novel crystal form and recording materials comprising the said crystal form.

Abstract: A method of producing N,N-disubstituted aminophenols of the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different and each represents a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl, the phenyl ring of which may be further substituted, alkoxyalkyl, or a cycloalkylalkyl, except that R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are not simultaneously methyl and R' represents hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, alkyl or alkoxy, which comprises reacting an aminophenol of general formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.3 represents hydrogen or R.sub.1, and R' is as defined above, with an organic halide species of general formula R.sub.2 X wherein R.sub.2 is as defined above and X is halogen under aqueous acidic conditions with the periodic addition of an acid trapping agent in such a way that continuous monitoring of pH is not required.