Stability and Reactivity of Polymethine Dyes in Solution

Abstract

The widespread use of polymethine dyes in high-technology applications such as optical recording, thermal displays, laser printers, laser filters, and infrared photo- graphy involves a solid state of the dyes. The polymethine dyes are relatively stable in the solid state. By contrast, a common limitation of the application of the polymethine dyes in solution, especially those with long-wavelength absorption bands, is their susceptibility to chemical and photochemical degradation. The features that affect stability of the dyes in solution under dark and light conditions are the subject of this review. The reactivity of polymethine dyes, that can be used in synthetic modifications, is also discussed.