Dyeing of multiple types of fabrics with a single reactive azo disperse dye

Three novel reactive azo disperse dyes were prepared using 7-acetamide-4-hydroxy-2-naphthalene sodium sulphate as the precursor. The structure of the dyes has the combined characteristics of reactive, disperse, and cationic dyes. Under alkaline conditions (pH 9), the dyes can be applied to cotton, silk, wool, and nylon. Under neutral conditions, they can be used to dye polyester. Under acidic conditions (pH 4.5), they can colour acrylic fabric after conversion of the tertiary amine group to the quaternary ammonium cation. The colour-fastness of the dyed fabrics were also evaluated.