Synthesis oftert-butyl substituted polymethine 1-benzothiopyrylium dyestuffs

A series of polymethine thiopyrylium dyestuffs of symmetrical and unsymmetrical structure, containing one to fourtert-butyl groups, has been synthesized from 6-tert-butyl-2-(p-tert-butylphenyl)-4-methyl-, 4,6-di(tert-butyl)-2-methyl-, and 6-tert-butyl-2,4-dimethyl-1-benzothiopyrylium perchlorates.