pH-Sensitive Dye-Polyether Derivatives as Dispersants for Its Parent Dye. Part 1: Synthesis and Hydrolysis Behavior

A series of dye-polyether derivatives, supposedly to be used as dispersants for parent dye, were synthesized by grafting poly(oxyalkylene)-amines based on differing both molecular weights and degrees of hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, onto C.I. disperse red 60 via a stable urea linkage. The structures of the dye-polyether derivatives were characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR, and SEC. The influence of pH on the hydrolysis behaviors of the dye-polyether derivatives were studied in buffered aqueous solutions within the pH range of 4 to 10. The hydrolysis of dye-polyether derivatives was pH dependent and relatively faster in mild alkaline buffer solution than in acidic one. The influence of poly(oxyalkylene)-amine structure on the hydrolysis behavior was also investigated; it was found that the hydrolysis rate is affected little by the molecular weight and increases with the increasing hydrophilicity of the poly(oxyalkylene)-amine.