Abstract: .beta.-Hydroxyalkylpicolinium salts of the formula (I) ##STR1## wherein A, R.sup.1 to R.sup.3 and X have the meanings given in the description, which are obtained by reaction of picolines of the formula (II) ##STR2## with alkylene oxides of the formula (III) in the presence of a 1- to 3-basic acid and in water or an organic solvent as the reaction medium and are used as intermediate products for the preparation of cationic dyestuffs, and dyestuff preparations comprising such cationic dyestuffs.

Abstract: Trisazo dyestuffs of the formula ##STR1## wherein A, B, n, C and D have the meaning given in the description. The new dyestuffs are outstandingly suitable for dyeing natural or synthetic fibre materials containing hydroxyl groups or containing nitrogen, for example cellulose fibres in all states of processing, especially cotton and regenerated cellulose, and also wool, wool/cellulose union, silk, nylon, leather and paper. Dyeings obtained show good fastness properties, especially good fastness to water and to perspiration following an after treatment with cationic auxiliaries.

Abstract: Polyazo dyestuffs which in the form of the free acid correspond to the formula ##STR1## wherein R represents an etherified or esterified hydroxyl group in the o- or p-position, D represents the radical of a diazo component which, in the case that the sulpho group in the naphthalene ring is in the 4-position, is free of metallizable groups in the o-position and A can contain further substituents, are useful for the dyeing of hydroxy or nitrogen containing natural or synthetic fiber materials, for example, cellulose fibers in all states of processing, especially cotton and regenerated cellulose, as well as leather and paper.