Abstract: An IR-absorbing naphthalocyanine dye of formula (I) is described: wherein M is Ga(A1); A1 is an axial ligand selected from —OH halogen, —OR3, —OC(O)R4; R1 and R2 may be the same or different and are selected from hydrogen or C1-12 alkoxy; R3 is selected from C1-12 alkyl, C5-12 aryl, C5-12 arylalkyl or Si(Rx)(Ry)(Rz); and R4 is selected from C1-12 alkyl, C5-12 aryl or C5-12 arylalkyl Rx, Ry and Rz may be the same or different and are selected from C1-12 alkyl, C5-12 aryl, C5-12 arylalkyl, C1-12 alkoxy, C5-12 aryloxy or C5-12 arylalkoxy; and W is a sulfonic acid group, including salts thereof.

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: An ink comprising an IR-absorbing naphthalocyanine dye of formula (I) is described: wherein M is Ga(A1); A1 is an axial ligand selected from —OH, halogen, —OR3, —OC(O)R4; R1 and R2 may be the same or different and are selected from hydrogen or C1-12 alkoxy; R3 is selected from C1-12 alkyl, C5-12 aryl, C5-12 arylalkyl or Si(Rx)(Ry)(Rz); and R4 is selected from C1-12 alkyl, C5-12 aryl or C5-12 arylalkyl Rx, Ry and Rz may be the same or different and are selected from C1-12 alkyl, C5-12 aryl, C5-12 arylalkyl, C1-12 alkoxy, C5-12 aryloxy or C5-12 arylalkoxy; and W is a sulfonic acid group, including salts thereof.

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 method of fabricating an apertured polymeric film. The method comprising the steps of: (a) masking a polymeric film with a first mask having first laser transmission zones defined therein; (b) laser-ablating first apertures through the polymeric film using the first mask; (c) masking the film with a second mask having second laser transmission zones defined therein, each second zone being aligned with a corresponding first aperture, and each second zone having greater perimeter dimensions than the corresponding first aperture; and (d) reaming the first apertures by laser-ablating the polymeric film using the second mask, the reamed first apertures defining second apertures in the film.

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 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: 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: The present invention provides a method of minimizing absorption of visible light in an ink composition comprising an IR-absorbing macrocyclic cyanine dye, comprising preselecting said dye such that it includes at least one moiety for reducing intermolecular interactions between adjacent dye molecules. The method is especially suitable for use in connection with netpage and Hyperlabel systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides an IR-absorbing metal-cyanine dye, in which the metal has at least one axial ligand bound thereto, and wherein the axial ligand comprises a hydrophilic or hydrophilizable moiety. Dyes of this type are especially suitable for use in netpage and Hyperlabel systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of minimizing absorption of visible light in an ink composition comprising an IR-absorbing metal cyanine dye, said method comprising preselecting said dye such that said metal has at least one axial ligand bound thereto, wherein said axial ligand comprises a moiety suitable for reducing intermolecular interactions between adjacent dye molecules. The method is especially suitable for use in connection with netpage and Hyperlabel systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides an IR-absorbing macrocyclic cyanine dye, wherein said dye comprises at least one moiety for reducing intermolecular interactions, thereby minimizing absorption of visible light. Dyes of this type are especially suitable for use in netpage and Hyperlabel systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides an IR-absorbing metal-cyanine dye, said metal having at least one axial ligand bound thereto, wherein said axial ligand comprises a moiety suitable for reducing intermolecular interactions between adjacent dye molecules, thereby minimizing absorption of visible light. Dyes of this type are especially suitable for use in netpage and Hyperlabel systems.

Abstract: An IR-absorbing naphthalocyanine dye of formula (1) is described: wherein M is Ga(A1); A1 is an axial ligand selected from —OH halogen, —OR3, —OC(O)R4; R1 and R2 may be the same or different and are selected from hydrogen or C1-12 alkoxy; R3 is selected from C1-12 alkyl, C3-12 aryl, C5-12 arylalkyl or Si(Rx)(Ry)(Rz); and R4 is selected from C1-12 alkyl, C5-12 aryl or C5-12 arylalkyl Rx, Ry and Rz may be the same or different and are selected from C1-12 alkyl, C5-12 aryl, C5-12 arylalkyl, C1-12 alkoxy, C5-12 aryloxy or C5-12 arylalkoxy; and W is a sulfonic acid group, including salts thereof.

Abstract: An ink comprising an IR-absorbing naphthalocyanine dye of formula (I) is described: Wherein M is Ga(A1); A1 is an axial ligand selected from —OH, halogen, —OR3, —OC(O)R4; R1 and R2 may be the same or different and are selected from hydrogen or C1-12 alkoxy; R3 is selected from C1-12 alkyl, C5-12 aryl, C5-12 arylalkyl or Si(Rx)(Ry)(Rz); and R4 is selected from C1-12 alkyl, C5-12 aryl or C5-12 arylalkyl Rx, Ry and Rz may be the same or different and are selected from C1-12 alkyl, C5-12 aryl, C5-12 arylalkyl, C1-12 alkoxy, C5-12 aryloxy or C5-12 arylalkoxy; and W is a sulfonic acid group, including salts thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of minimizing absorption of visible light in an IR-absorbing dye comprising reducing intermolecular interactions between adjacent dye molecules. The method is particularly suitable for use in connection with netpage and Hyperlabel systems.

Abstract: There is provided an inkjet ink comprising an IR-absorbing dye of formula (I) or (II) wherein R10, R13, R20, R23, R30, R33, R40 and R43 are independently selected from a C1-12 alkyl group bearing a hydroxyl or protected hydroxyl group; each of R11/R12, R21/R22, R31/R32, and R41/R42 are together joined to form T is selected from a substituent comprising a polymeric chain or a C1-30 hydrocarbyl group; W is —SO3H or a water-soluble salt thereof; m is 0, 1 or 2; n is 0, 1 or 2; M is selected from Si(A1)(A2), Ge(A1)(A2), Ga(A1), Mg, Al(A1), TiO, Ti(A1)(A2), ZrO, Zr(A1)(A2), VO, V(A1)(A2), Mn, Mn(A1), Fe, Fe(A1), Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sn, Sn(A1)(A2), Pb, Pb(A1)(A2), Pd and Pt; A1 and A2 are axial ligands, which may be the same or different, and are selected from —OH, halogen or —OR3; R3 is a selected from C1-12 alkyl, C5-12 aryl, C5-12 arylalkyl or Si(Rx)(Ry)(Rz); and Rx, Ry and Rz may be the same or different and are selected from C1-2 alkyl, C5-12 aryl, C5-12 arylalkyl, C1-12 alkoxy, C5-12 aryloxy or C5-

Abstract: There is provided an inkjet ink comprising an IR-absorbing dye of formula (I): wherein M is Ga(A1); A1 is an axial ligand selected from —OH, halogen, —OR3, —OC(O)R4, a hydrophilic ligand and/or a ligand suitable for reducing cofacial interactions; R1 and R2 may be the same or different and are selected from hydrogen or C1-12 alkoxy; R3 is selected from C1-12 alkyl, C5-12 aryl, C5-12 arylalkyl or Si(Rx)(Ry)(Rz); and R4 is selected from C1-12 alkyl, C5-12 aryl or C5-12 arylalkyl Rx, Ry and Rz may be the same or different and are selected from C1-12 alkyl, C5-12 aryl, C5-12 arylalkyl, C1-12 alkoxy, C5-12 aryloxy or C5-12 arylalkoxy; W is a hydrophilic group, each W group being independently selected from a substituent comprising a sulfonic acid group (including salts thereof), or a substituent comprising a sulfonamide group; n1 is 0, 1, 2 or 3; n2 is 0, 2, or 3; n3 is 0, 1, 2 or 3; n4 is 0, 1, 2 or 3; provided that at least one of n1, n2, n3 or n4 is greater than 0.

Abstract: The present invention provides an IR-absorbing dye of formula (I) or (II) wherein R10, R13, R20, R23, R30, R33, R40 and R43 are independently selected from a C1-12 alkyl group bearing a hydrophilic or hydrophilizable group; R11, R12, R21, R22, R31, R32, R41 and R42 are independently selected from H or a C1-30 hydrocarbyl group, or each of R11/R12, R21/R22, R31/R32, and R41/R42 are together joined to form a C3-30 hydrocarbylene group; M is selected from Si(A1)(A2), Ge(A1)(A2), Ga(A1), Mg, Al(A1), TiO, Ti(A1)(A2), ZrO, Zr(A1)(A2), VO, V(A1)(A2), Mn, Mn(A1), Fe, Fe(A1), Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sn, Sn(A1)(A2), Pb, Pb(A1)(A2), Pd and Pt; A1 and A2 are axial ligands, which may be the same or different, and are selected from —OH, halogen, —OR3, a hydrophilic ligand and/or a ligand suitable for reducing intermolecular interactions; R3 is a selected from C1-12 alkyl, C5-12 aryl, C5-12 arylalkyl or Si(Rx)(Ry)(Rz); and Rx, Ry and Rz may be the same or different and are selected from C1-12 alkyl, C5-12 aryl, C5-12 arylalkyl

Abstract: The present invention provides an IR-absorbing naphthalocyanine dye of formula (I): wherein M is selected from Ga(A1); A1 is an axial ligand selected from —OH, halogen (preferably Cl), —OR3, a hydrophilic ligand and/or a ligand suitable for reducing cofacial interactions; R1 and R2 may be the same or different and are selected from hydrogen or C1-12 alkoxy (preferably C1-6 alkoxy); R3 is selected from C1-12 alkyl, C5-12 aryl, C5-12 arylalkyl or Si(Rx)(Ry)(Rz); and Rx, Ry and Rz may be the same or different and are selected from C1-12 alkyl, C5-12 aryl, C5-12 arylalkyl, C1-12 alkoxy, C5-12 aryloxy or C5-12 arylalkoxy; W is a hydrophilic group; n1 is 0, 1, 2 or 3; n2 is 0, 1, 2 or 3; n3 is 0, 1, 2 or 3; n4 is 0, 1, 2 or 3; provided that at least one of n1, n2, n3 or n4 is greater than 0. Dyes of this type are especially suitable for use in netpage and Hyperlabel™ systems.