WO2007048709A1

WO2007048709A1 - Anionic barbituric acid based azomethine metal complex dyes and their use in optical layers for optical data recording

Info

Publication number: WO2007048709A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/067329
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Christophe Graciet; Pascal Steffanut; Lars LÜCKE; Martin Alexander Winter
Original assignee: Clariant International Ltd
Priority date: 2005-10-27
Filing date: 2006-10-12
Publication date: 2007-05-03
Also published as: TW200718756A; TW200737176A; WO2007048710A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to anionic barbituric acid based azamethine metal complex dyes and their use in optical layers for optical data recording, preferably for optical data recording using a laser with a wavelength up to 450 nm. The invention further relates to a write once read many (WORM) type optical data recording medium capable of recording and reproducing information with radiation of blue laser, which employs an anionic barbituric acid based azamethine metal complex dye in the optical layer.

Description

2005CH109/1 1

Anionic barbituric acid based azamethine metal complex dyes and their use in optical layers for optical data recording

The present invention relates to anionic barbituric acid based azamethine metal complex dyes and their use in optical layers for optical data recording, preferably for optical data recording using a laser with a wavelength up to 450 nm.

The invention further relates to a write once read many (WORM) type optical data recording medium capable of recording and reproducing information with radiation of blue laser, which employs an anionic barbituric acid based azamethine metal complex dye in the optical layer.

Recently, organic dyes have attracted considerable attentions in the field of diode-laser optical data storage. WORM type optical data recording media like commercial recordable compact discs (CD-R) and recordable digital versatile discs (DVD-R) can contain in the recording layer dyes based on phthalocyanine, hemicyanine, cyanine and metallized azo structures. These dyes are suitable in their respective fields with the laser wavelength criteria. Other general requirements for dye media are strong absorption, high reflectance, high recording sensitivity, enhancement of photosensitivity, low thermal conductivity as well as light and thermal stabilities, durability for storage or non-toxicity. Important criteria are also good read-out stability, which means high number of cycles at a given intensity of laser- light, and sufficient solubilities of the dyes in the organic solvents generally applied in the spin coating process. At the recorded region of such an organic dye type optical data recording medium, the optical properties have been changed not only by a change in the optical characteristics and a decrease in the layer thickness resulting from the thermal decomposition of the dye, but also by a deformation of the substrate.

This recording principle is the same for CD-R and DVD-R, the difference remaining the spot size and the wavelength of the laser light used. CD-R are writable at a wavelength of from 770 to 830 nm and DVD-R, by using more recent compact high-performance red diode lasers, at a wavelength from 600 to 700 nm achieving then a 6- to 8 fold improvement in data packing density in comparison with conventional CDs. 2005CH109/1 2

However, considering factors such as the recent spread of electronic networks (e.g. Internet) and the emergence of high definition television (HDTV) broadcasting, inexpensive and convenient recording media, capable of recording image information at even larger capacity, are required. While DVD-R' s sufficiently serve as high-capacity recording media at present, demand for larger capacity and higher density has increased.

Blu-ray^® discs (Blu-ray^® disc is a standard developed by Hitachi Ltd., LG Electronics Inc., Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd., Pioneer Corporation, Royal Philips Electronics, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Sharp Corporation, Sony Corporation,

Thomson Multimedia) or HD-DVD discs (a standard developed by Toshiba and NEC) are going to be the next milestone in optical data recording technology. By these new specifications the data storage may be increased up to 27 Gigabytes per recording layer for a 12 cm diameter disc. By adopting a blue diode laser with a wavelength of 405 nm (GaN or SHG laser diodes), the pit size and track interval can be further reduced, again increasing the storage capacity by an order of magnitude.

The construction of such optical data recording media is known in the art. The optical recording medium comprises preferably a substrate with a guide groove for laser beam tracking, a recording layer, also called optical layer, containing an organic dye as the main component, a reflective layer and a protective layer. When recording/readout is carried out through the substrate, a transparent substrate is employed. As such a transparent substrate, one made of a resin such as polycarbonate, polymethacrylate or amorphous polyolefin, one made of glass or one having a resin layer made of radiation curable resin, i.e. photopolymerizable resin, formed on glass, may, for example, be employed. Advanced optical data recording media may comprise further layers, such as protective layers, adhesive layers or even additional optical recording layers.

For blue diode-laser optical data storage a variety of dye compounds has been proposed in the literature.

JP-A-03132669 discloses dyes based on anionic cobalt complexes and their use in electrophotography and optical layers. 2005CH109/1

WO-A-2004088649 discloses dyes based on anionic cobalt complexes including cationic counter parts and their use in optical layers.

Unfortunately the dye compounds described so far still show disadvantages which impede their satisfactory use as dyes for optical data storage.

There is a still a need for an optical data recording medium that is capable of recording data at high density with improved recording characteristics and with improved read-out stabilities.

Surprisingly the object was achieved by using anionic barbituric acid based azamethine metal complex dyes as described below.

In the following any "halogen" represents F, Cl, Br or I, preferably F, Cl or Br, more preferably F or Cl, even more preferably Cl, if not otherwise stated; any "alkyl" represents linear and branched alkyl, if not otherwise stated; any "alkoxy" represents linear and branched alkoxy, if not otherwise stated; any "alkyl" and any "cycloalkyl" groups being either unsubstituted or substituted by one or more halogen atoms, preferably any halogenated alkyl is selected from the group consisting Of CF₃, CF₂CF₃, CF₂CF₂CF₃ and chloromethyl, if not otherwise stated. CI stands for Color Index, BY stands for CI Basic Yellow.

Subject of the invention is a compound of formula (I),

Cat^"1 (I)

2005CH109/1 4

wherein

M represents a trivalent metal atom;

A¹ and A² represent independently for each other together with the N-C=N-group a five or six membered N-heteroaromatic cycle with a total of 2, 3 or 4 endocyclic N-atoms, the endocyclic 1 , 2 or 3 carbon atoms of the this N-heteroaromatic cycle being unsubstituted or substituted by substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci-io alkyl, C_5-10-cycloalkyl, Ci-I₀ alkoxy, unsubstituted phenyl or substituted phenyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci-I₀ alkyl, C_5-io-cycloalkyl, Ci-I₀ alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci-I₀ alkyl, O-Ce-io-aryl, S-C_6-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO- NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²², unsubstituted benzyl or substituted benzyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, Cs-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, 0-C_6-io-aryl, S- Cβ-io-aiyl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂ R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²², NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, 0-C_6-io-aryl, S-C_6-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³,

SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²²; and/ or this N-heteroaromatic cycle being fused to a benzene ring, the fused benzene ring being unsubstituted or substituted by 1 to 4 substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, Cs-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_io alkoxy, unsubstituted phenyl or substituted phenyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, Cs-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, O-Ce-io-aryl, S-C_6-i₀-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO- NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²², unsubstituted benzyl or substituted benzyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, Cs-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, O-C_6-i₀-aryl, S- 2005CH109/1

Ce-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂ R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci-I₀ alkyl-NR²¹R²²,

NR²¹R²², S-Ci-I₀ alkyl, 0-C_6-io-aryl, S-C_6-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci-I₀ alkyl-NR²¹R²²; W¹ and W² independently from each other represent O or S; R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, Ci-I₀ alkyl, Cs-I₀ cycloalkyl, unsubstituted phenyl or substituted phenyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci-I₀ alkyl, C_5-io-cycloalkyl, Ci-I₀ alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci-I₀ alkyl, O-Ce-io-aryl, S-C_6-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci-I₀ alkyl-NR²¹R²², unsubstituted benzyl or substituted benzyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, C_LIO alkyl, C_5-io-cycloalkyl, Ci-I₀ alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci-I₀ alkyl, O-Ce-io-aryl, S-C_6-i₀-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²²,

NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci-I₀ alkyl-NR²¹R²²;

+

Cat is selected from the group of cations consisting of the cations of the CI Basic

Yellow Dyes; cations of formula (IV); triarylmethane type cations of formula (X); pyridinium type cations of formula (XI); guanidinium type cations of formula (XII); H⁺; an equivalent Met^s+/s of a metal cation Met^s+ and an unsubstituted or substituted ammonium ion;

2005CH109/1

A is a unsubstituted phenyl or substituted phenyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂,

21_π22

Ci-I₀ alkyl, Cs-io-cycloalkyl, Ci-I₀ alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci-I₀ alkyl, 0-C_6-io-aryl, S-

,21_π22 21_π22 ,21

Ce-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R , SO₂R , CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂- R²¹ and Ci-I₀ alkyl-NR²¹R²²; R⁴³, R⁴⁴, R⁴⁵ and R⁴⁶ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, Cs-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, unsubstituted phenyl or substituted phenyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, C_5-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, O- Cβ-io-aiyl, S-Ce-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH- CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²², unsubstituted benzyl or substituted benzyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, C_5-10- cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, O-C_ό-io-aryl, S-C_ό-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂ R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci-I₀ alkyl-NR²¹R²²,

NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, 0-C_6-io-aryl, S-C_6-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²²; or

R⁴³ and R⁴⁴, R⁴⁴ and R⁴⁵ or R⁴⁵ and R⁴⁶ together with the two C atoms to which they are attached, form a saturated, unsaturated or aromatic 5- or 6-membered ring, which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2, 3 or 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci-I₀ alkyl, Cs-io-cycloalkyl, Ci-I₀ alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci-I₀ alkyl, O-C_6-i₀-aryl, S-

,21_π22 21_π22 ,21

Cβ-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R , SO₂R , CO-NR²¹R , NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂- R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²²; 2005CH109/1 7

R⁴¹ and R⁴² is selected from the group consisting of Ci-io-alkyl, Cs-io-cycloalkyl, Ci- _lo-alkoxy, unsubstituted phenyl or substituted phenyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, C_5-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, O-

Ce-io-aryl, S-C_6-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH- CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²²; R²⁴ and R²⁵ independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of

H, unsubstituted or substituted Ci-io-alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted phenyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, C_5-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, 0-C_6-io-aryl, S- Cβ-io-aiyl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH- SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²², unsubstituted or substituted benzyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, C_5-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, 0-C_6-io-aryl, S- Cβ-io-aiyl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH- SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²²; s is one of the numbers 1, 2 or 3;

R²¹ and R²² are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of

H, Ci-io alkyl and C_6-10 aryl; R²³ is OH or C_LIO alkoxy.

A preferable substituted ammonium ion is an ammonium ion of the formula (XXa),

N⁺R³⁰R³¹R³²R³³ (XXa) where the substituents R³⁰, R³¹, R³² and R³³ are identical or different and have the definition of Z²; with Z² representing a group of the formula (XXb) -[X¹⁰-Y¹⁰]_h-R³⁵ (XXb) in which h is a number from O to 100, preferably O to 20, more preferably O, 1, 2, 3, 4 or

5; 2005CH109/1 8

X¹⁰ is a C₂-C₆ alkylene radical, a C5-C7 cycloalkylene radical, or a combination of 1 to 4 of these radicals, these radicals being unsubstituted or substituted by 1 to 4 substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting Of Ci-C₄ alkyl, hydroxyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, (Ci-C4)-hydroxyalkyl and C₅-C₇ cycloalkyl; or in which

X¹⁰, if h is > 1, can also be a combination of these radicals;

— N N —

Y rlO is a radical selected from the group consisting of -O-, — or a group -NR³⁴-, or in which

Y¹⁰, if h > 1, can also be a combination of these radicals;

R³⁴ and R³⁵ independently of one another are a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted, or partly fluorinated or perfluorinated, branched or unbranched C₁-C₂0 alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C₅-Cs cycloalkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted, or partly fluorinated or perfluorinated C₂-C₂0 alkenyl group, it being possible for any substituent to be hydroxyl, phenyl, cyano, chlorine, bromine, amino, C₂-C₄ acyl or C₁-C₄ alkoxy and the substituents to be preferably 1 to 4 in number, or

R³⁴ and R³⁵ together with the nitrogen atom of the NR³⁴ group, form a saturated, unsaturated or aromatic heterocyclic 5- to 7-membered ring, which can contain

1 or 2 further nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur atoms or carbonyl groups in the ring, the ring being unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 radicals independently from each other selected from the group consisting of OH, NH₂, phenyl, CN, Cl, Br, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, C₂-C₄ acyl and carbamoyl, and can carry 1 or 2 benzo-fused saturated, unsaturated or aromatic, carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings; or Z² is hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, phenyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylene-phenyl, C5-C30 cycloalkyl, C₂-C30 alkenyl, or is branched or unbranched C₁-C30 alkyl, it being possible for the phenyl ring, the (Ci-C₄)-alkylene-phenyl group, the C5-C30 cycloalkyl group, the C2-C30 alkenyl group and the C1-C30 alkyl group to be substituted by one or more, preferably 1 , 2, 3 or 4, substituents independently 2005CH109/1 9

from each other selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br, CN, NH₂, OH, phenyl, the phenyl can be substituted by 1, 2 or 3 C₁-C₂0 alkoxy radicals, carbamoyl, carboxyl, C₂-C₄ acyl, Ci-C₈ alkyl, NR³⁴R³⁵, where R³⁴ and R³⁵ are as defined above, and C₁-C₄ alkoxy, preferably methoxy or ethoxy, or for the alkyl group and the alkenyl group to be perfluorinated or partly fluorinated; or where the substituents

R³⁰ and R³¹ together with the nitrogen atom of the ammonium ion can form a five- to seven-membered saturated or unsaturated ring which can contain 1 , 2 or 3, preferably 1 or 2 further heteroatoms from the group O, S and N or carbonyl groups, and which can carry 1 or 2 fused-on saturated, unsaturated or aromatic, carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings; the ring system and the rings fused on, where appropriate, can be substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 radicals from the group OH, NH₂, phenyl, CN, Cl, Br, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, C₂-C₄ acyl and carbamoyl, preferably of the pyrrolidone, imidazolidine, hexamethyleneimine, piperidine, piperazine or morpholine type; or where the substituents

R³⁰, R³¹ and R³² together with the nitrogen atom of the ammonium ion can form a five- to seven-membered aromatic ring system which can contain 1, 2 or 3, preferably 1 or 2 further heteroatoms from the group O, S and N or carbonyl groups, and which can carry 1 or 2 fused-on saturated, unsaturated or aromatic, carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings; the ring system and the rings fused on where appropriate can be substituted by 1, 2 or 3 radicals independently selected from the group consisting of OH, NH₂, phenyl, CN, Cl, Br, Ci-C₄ alkyl, Ci-C₄ alkoxy, C₂-C₄ acyl and carbamoyl, preferably of the pyrrole, imidazole, pyridine, picoline, pyrazine, quinoline or isoquinoline type.

A more preferable substituted ammonium ion is an ammonium ion of the formula (XXa),

N⁺R³⁰R³¹R³²R³³ (XXa) wherein

R³⁰, R³¹, R³² and R³³ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, phenyl, C₁-C₁0 alkyl; even more preferably 2005CH109/1 10

R represent H; R³¹, R³² and R³³ are the same and represent C1-C4 alkyl;

especially preferably the substituted ammonium ion is

A further preferable substituted ammonium ion is the 1/r equivalent of a diamine- derived ammonium ion of the formula (XXe)

as disclosed for example in WO-A-01/14479, and in which

R⁵⁰ is C6-C30 alkyl, preferably linear Cs-C₂O alkyl, or C₆-C₃O alkenyl, preferably linear, R⁵¹ is a free valence, hydrogen, C1-C30 alkyl, C2-C30 alkenyl, C3-C30 cycloalkyl,

C₆-C_H aryl or C7-C38 aralkyl, R⁵², R⁵³ and R⁵⁵ are identical or different and are Ci-C₆ alkyl, preferably methyl,

C3-C30 cycloalkyl, C₆-C_H aryl or C7-C38 aralkyl,

R _I 54 is a free valence, hydrogen, Ci-C₆ alkyl, preferably methyl,

C3-C30 cycloalkyl, C₆-CH aryl or C7-C38 aralkyl, with the proviso that

R⁵¹ and R⁵⁴ are not simultaneously a free valence, r is the number 2 or, where R⁵¹ or R⁵⁴ is a free valence, is the number 1,

A¹⁰ is C₁-C₁₂ alkylene or C₂-C_H alkenylene, and contains preferably 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms, in particular 3; or

R⁵¹ and R⁵³, together with the two nitrogen atoms to which they are attached and with

A 10 , form a ring, preferably piperazinyl; and/or 2005CH109/1 11

R⁵⁴ and R⁵⁵, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a ring, preferably piperidinyl, morpholinyl, piperazinyl or N- (C₁-C₆ alkyl)piperazinyl.

The radicals identified in the definition of R⁵⁰ to R⁵⁵ are preferably unsubstituted or are substituted by substituents from the group OH, Ci-C₆ alkyl, preferably methyl, Ci-C₆ alkoxy, CN and halogen, especially chlorine or bromine; aryl is preferably phenyl, aralkyl is preferably benzyl or 2-phenylethyl; and cycloalkyl is preferably cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl.

Preferred ions of the formula (XXe) are those in which R⁵¹ and R⁵⁴ are hydrogen and R⁵², R⁵³ and R⁵⁵ are methyl, more preferably those ions of the formula (XXe) in which R⁵¹ to R⁵⁵ are methyl. Preference is further give to those ions of the formula (XXe) which derive from amines of natural oils and fats, such as coconut oil, corn oil, cereal oil, train oil or sperm oil, particularly from tallow fat.

In a further preferred aspect of the invention, Cat⁺ is H⁺ or the equivalent Met^s+/s of a metal cation Met^s+, preferably from main groups 1 to 5 or from transition groups 1 or 2 or 4 to 8 of the Periodic Table of the Chemical Elements, more preferably Met^s+ is selected from the group consisting Of Li¹⁺, Na¹⁺, K¹⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, Mn²⁺,

_/ C~iu 2+ , τ3+

Al , _/ C~ιr 3+ or Fe 3+ ; even more preferred Cat⁺ is H⁺ or the equivalent Met^s+/s of a metal cation Met^s+ with Met^s+ selected from the group consisting of Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, Mn²⁺ or Al³⁺.

In a more preferred aspect of the invention

A⁵ is a unsubstituted phenyl or substituted phenyl with 1 or 2 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-4 alkyl, Ci_-4 alkoxy and NR²¹R²²;

R⁴³, R⁴⁴, R⁴⁵ and R⁴⁶ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, Cl, Br, CN, CF₃, NO₂, d_-4-alkyl, Ci_-4-alkoxy and NR²¹R²², with at least 2, preferably 3 of the substituents R⁴³, R⁴⁴, R⁴⁵ and R⁴⁶ being H; R⁴¹ and R⁴² represent independently from each other CH₃ or C₂H₅; with

R²¹ and R²² independently from each other represent H or Ci_-4 alkyl. 2005CH109/1 12

In an even more preferred aspect of the invention

A⁵ is a unsubstituted phenyl or substituted phenyl with 1 or 2 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of Cl, CN, CH₃, C₂H₅, OCH₃,

OC₂H₅, N(CH₃)₂ and N(C₂H₅)₂; R⁴³, R⁴⁴, R⁴⁵ and R⁴⁶ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, Cl, Br, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-4 alkyl, Ci_-4 alkoxy, or NR²¹R²², with at least 2, preferably 3 of the substituents R⁴³, R⁴⁴, R⁴⁵ and R⁴⁶ being H; R⁴¹ and R⁴² represent independently from each other CH₃.

In a more preferred aspect of the invention

R²⁴ and R²⁵ are the same and are selected from the group consisting of H, Ci_-4-alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted phenyl with 1 or 2 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-4 alkyl, Ci_-4 alkoxy and NR²¹R²²; with

R²¹ and R²² being independently from each other representing H or Ci_-4 alkyl.

In a even more preferred aspect of the invention

R²⁴ and R²⁵ are the same and are selected from the group consisting of H, CH₃ and C₂H₅ and phenyl.

In a further preferred aspect of the invention, Cat⁺ is a cation of the CI Basic Yellow Dyes.

When Cat⁺ is selected from a cation of the CI Basic Yellow Dyes, preferably Cat⁺ is selected from the group of cations of the CI Basic Yellow Dyes CI Basic Yellow 1, 2, 11, 13, 21, 24, 28, 29, 37, 49, 51, 57 and 90.

When Cat⁺ is selected from a cation of the CI Basic Yellow Dyes, more preferably the Cat⁺ is selected from the group consisting of 2005CH109/1 13

Cation of Basic Yellow 11 Cation of Basic Yellow 13

Cation of Basic Yellow 28 _an(j Cation of Basic Yellow 57

When Cat⁺ is selected from a cation of the CI Basic Yellow Dyes, especially preferably Cat⁺ is the cation of the Basic Yellow 11 or the cation of the Basic Yellow 28, most especially preferred the cation of the Basic Yellow 28.

2005CH109/1 14

Most preferably Cat⁺ is selected from the group consisting of

Cation of Basic Yellow 11 Cation of Basic Yellow 28

Cation of Basic Yellow 57 and

In a further preferred aspect of the invention,

M is selected from the group consisting of Co, Fe, Al, Cr;

A¹ and A² are independently for each other selected to form the group consisting of

R¹¹

with the (*) marking the bond to the azamethine group in formula (I) and with

(**) marking the bond to the metal atom in formula (I); and with R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹² and R¹³ being independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, C_1-10 alkyl₂, phenyl, halogen, nitro, CN and CF₃; R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, CH₃, C₂H₅, C₃H₇ and C₄H₉, 2005CH109/1 15

unsubstituted phenyl or substituted phenyl, with 1 to 3 substituents being independently from each other selected from group consisting of Cl, Br, F and Ci-io alkyl.

In a more preferred aspect of the invention,

A¹ and A² are independently for each other selected from the group consisting of

preferably from ' (**) and (**) ;

M represents Co or Al; R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, CH₃, C₂H₅, unsubstituted and substituted phenyl, with 1 or 2 substituents being independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Cl and d-C₄-alkyl; R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹² and R¹³ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, CH₃, C₂H₅ and CN.

In a particularly preferred aspect of the invention,

(**) and ⁽*^} (**) 2005CH109/1 16

preferably from ^v ' V > and v ⁾

M represents Co or Al; R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are C₂H₅;

R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹² and R¹³ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, CH₃ and CN.

In an even more particularly preferred aspect, the subject of the invention is a compound of formula (I), wherein R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are C₂H₅; A¹ and A² are independently for each other selected from the group consisting of

(*) (**) (*) (**) and ⁽*^} (**) ;

preferably from ' (**) and (**) ; with M especially preferred representing Al; or in further especially preferred embodiment of the invention with M representing Co.

In a further especially preferred embodiment W¹ and W² are the same and represent O; in another especially preferred embodiment W¹ and W² are the same and represent S. 2005CH109/1 17

Preparation of the inventive compounds of formula (I)

The compounds of formula (I) are prepared by complexing reaction of one equivalent of a ligand of the formula (III) and one equivalent of a ligand of the formula (IV) with a one equivalent of a metal salt,

wherein

A¹ and A² represent independently for each other together with the N-C=N-group a five or six membered N-heteroaromatic cycle with a total of 2, 3 or 4 endocyclic

N-atoms, the endocyclic 1, 2 or 3 carbon atoms of the this N-heteroaromatic cycle being unsubstituted or substituted by substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci-io alkyl, C_5-10-cycloalkyl, Ci-I₀ alkoxy, unsubstituted phenyl or substituted phenyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci-I₀ alkyl, Cs-io-cycloalkyl, Ci-I₀ alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci-I₀ alkyl, O-Ce-io-aryl, S-C_6-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO- NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²², unsubstituted benzyl or substituted benzyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, Cs-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, 0-C_6-io-aryl, S- Cβ-io-aiyl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂ R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²², 2005CH109/1 18

NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, 0-C_6-io-aryl, S-C_6-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci-I₀ alkyl-NR²¹R²²; and/ or this N-heteroaromatic cycle being fused to a benzene ring, the fused benzene ring being unsubstituted or substituted by 1 to 4 substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_io alkyl, Cs-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_io alkoxy, unsubstituted phenyl or substituted phenyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci-I₀ alkyl, Cs-io-cycloalkyl, Ci-I₀ alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci-I₀ alkyl, O-Ce-io-aryl, S-C_6-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-

NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²², unsubstituted benzyl or substituted benzyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, Cs-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, 0-C_6-io-aryl, S- Ce-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂ R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹,

NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²²,

NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, 0-C_6-io-aryl, S-C_6-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²²; W¹ and W² independently from each other represent O or S; R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, Ci_-I0 alkyl, Cs-io cycloalkyl, unsubstituted phenyl or substituted phenyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, C_LIO alkyl, C_5-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, O-Ce-io-aryl, S-C_6-i₀-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²²,

NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²², unsubstituted benzyl or substituted benzyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, C_5-i₀-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, O-Ce-io-aryl, S-C_6-i₀-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²²,

NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²²;

with Cat⁺ being present or being formed during the complexing reaction, and 2005CH109/1 19

A⁵ is a unsubstituted phenyl or substituted phenyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂,

Ci-I₀ alkyl, C_5-io-cycloalkyl, Ci-I₀ alkoxy, NR 21- Rn22 , S-Ci-I₀ alkyl, 0-C_6-io-aryl, S-

Ce-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-

R²¹ and Ci-I₀ alkyl-NR²¹R²²; R⁴³, R⁴⁴, R⁴⁵ and R⁴⁶ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, Cs-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, unsubstituted phenyl or substituted phenyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, C_LIO alkyl, C_5-io-cycloalkyl, Ci-I₀ alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci-I₀ alkyl, O- Ce-io-aryl, S-C_6-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH- CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci-I₀ alkyl-NR²¹R²², unsubstituted benzyl or substituted benzyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci-I₀ alkyl, Cs-io- 2005CH109/1 20

cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, 0-C_6-io-aryl, S-C_6-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂ R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²²,

R⁴³ and R⁴⁴, R⁴⁴ and R⁴⁵ or R⁴⁵ and R⁴⁶ together with the two C atoms to which they are attached, form a saturated, unsaturated or aromatic 5- or 6-membered ring, which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2, 3 or 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂,

Ci_-I0 alkyl, C_5-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, O-C_6-i₀-aryl, S- Cβ-io-aiyl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂- R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²²;

R⁴¹ and R⁴² is selected from the group consisting of Ci-io-alkyl, C_5-10-cyclo alkyl, Ci- _lo-alkoxy, unsubstituted phenyl or substituted phenyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, C_5-i₀-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, O- Cβ-io-aiyl, S-Ce-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH- CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²²;

R²⁴ and R²⁵ independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of H, unsubstituted or substituted Ci-io-alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted phenyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, C_5-i₀-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, O-C_6-i₀-aryl, S-

Cβ-io-aiyl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH- SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²², unsubstituted or substituted benzyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, C_5-i₀-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, O-C_6-i₀-aryl, S-

Cβ-io-aiyl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH- SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²²; s is one of the numbers 1, 2 or 3; 2005CH109/1 21

H, Ci-io alkyl and C_6-10 aryl; R²³ is OH or Ci-io alkoxy;

or the compounds of formula (I) are prepared from precursor salts by metathesis.

Preferably the precursor salts of the Cat⁺ are the CI Basic Yellow Dyes or the salts of the cations of formula (IV), of the triarylmethane type cations of formula (X), of the pyridinium type cations of formula (XI), of the guanidinium type cations of formula (XII), proton-acids (preferably organic or inorganic acid, more preferably formic acid, acetic acid, H2SO4, H3PO4), salts of the metal cation Met^s+ or unsubstituted or substituted ammonium salts; with anions preferably selected from the group consisting of halide (preferably fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, more preferably chloride and bromide) , sulfate, alkoxy sulfate, phosphate, alkoxyphosphate, nitrate and anion of carbonic acids, preferably acetate.

The ligands of formula (III) and (IV) are azamethine ligands.

The metal salt is a derived from a divalent or a trivalent metal with the metal selected preferably from the group consisting of Co, Al, Fe, Cr. The salts of these metals are preferably sulfates, halides (preferably fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, more preferably chloride and bromide, especially chlorides) and acetates and their respective hydrates.

In case of a divalent metal the metal has to be converted to its trivalent form. Preferably this is done during the complexing reaction by the presence of triethylamine.

More preferred metal salts are derived from Co and Al. More preferred metal salts are for example cobalt- or aluminium-sulfate; cobalt- or aluminium-acetate, and their respective hydrates, especially preferably Al₂(SO₄)S, A1₂(SO₄)₃* 18 H₂O and CoSO₄*7 H₂O. 2005CH109/1 22

Preparation of the azamethine ligand of formula (III) and (IV)

The azamethine ligands of the formula (III) and (IV) are prepared by condensation reaction of the respective amine components, the respective coupling agents and a Ci- condensation agent, preferably a trialkylorthoformiate, more preferably triethylorthoformiate. These amine components, coupling agents and the C₁- condensation agent are known substances.

It is possible to use more than one amine component and/or more than one coupling agent together with the Ci -condensation agent , resulting in the respective mixture of azamethine ligands. The condensation reaction may be carried out in an organic acid. The organic acid is preferably selected from the group consisting of formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid and mixtures thereof, more preferably acetic acid is used.

The condensation reaction is preferably carried out in a stoichiometric ratio of coupling agent, amine component and Ci -condensation agent. The condensation is generally done at temperatures between 20⁰C to 150⁰C, preference being given to temperatures between 50⁰C to 130⁰C, particular preference to temperatures between 80⁰C to 120⁰C, further particular preferred the condensation reaction is carried out at reflux temperature and atmospheric pressure. Preferably the azamethine ligand is isolated following standard methods, in case of a precipitate preferably by filtration, and preferably dried.

Preparation of the compounds of formula (I)

Preferably, the compounds of formula (I) are prepared by complexing reaction of a solution of one equivalent of a metal salt with a boiling solution of one equivalent of the ligand of formula (III) and one equivalent of the ligand of formula (IV). In one preferred embodiment of the invention the metal of the metal salt is a trivalent metal. In another preferred embodiment of the invention the metal of the metal salt is a divalent metal, and the complexing reaction is carried out in the presence of preferably 2.5 to 4, more preferably 2.9 to 3.2, especially 3 equivalents of trialkylamine for each equivalent of ligand. This ensures, that the divalent metal atom is converted during the complexing reaction, and that the metal atom is incorporated into its four- fold coordination in the complex, resulting in an anionic charge on the final complex. It is possible to use more than one ligand of formula (III), preferably a mixture of 2 or 3 ligands of formula (III), 2005CH109/1 23

and/or more than one ligands of formula (IV), preferably a mixture of 2 or 3 ligand of formula (IV). Preferably in this case the combined amounts of the ligands should be equal to two equivalents of the metal salt. It is also possible to use more than one metal salt, preferably a mixture of 2 or 3 metal salts, preferably in the required stoichiometric amounts with regard to the azamethine ligands; and a combination of these measures is also possible. The ligands can be added to the metal salt or vice versa.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention Cat⁺ is present during the complexing reaction, in another preferred embodiment of the invention Cat⁺ is formed during the complexing reaction, more preferably Cat⁺ is formed during the complexing reaction when a metal salt derived from a divalent metal is used in the presence of triethylamine in the complexing reaction, with the metal salt being especially preferably

CoSO₄*7H₂O.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention the compound of formula (I) is prepared by metathesis by mixing the respective precursor salts.

The complexing reaction and the metathesis can be carried out in suspension or in solution, preferably in suspension.

The solvents that can be used in the complexing reaction or for the metathesis are water, solvents and mixtures thereof. The solvents are preferably selected from the group consisting of Ci-S alcohols, nitriles, preferably acetonitrile, acetone, aromatic solvents such as toluene or chlorobenzene, DMF, DMSO, NMP. More preferred solvents are Ci-S alcohols, especially ethanol, and acetonitrile.

It is also possible to add the metal salt already at an earlier stage of the synthesis of the compounds of formula (I) or their precursors, preferably before, during or after the azamethine condensation reaction, more preferably after the azamethine condensation reaction to the resulting suspension or solution of the ligands. Most preferably the ligands are isolated and dried after synthesis, and the complexing reaction is carried out in a separate step.

Preferably the ligands are present as a suspension in the complexing reaction or during metathesis. 2005CH109/1 24

The complexing reaction and the metathesis are generally done at temperatures between 20⁰C to 200⁰C, preferably at temperatures between 50⁰C to 170⁰C, particularly preferably at temperatures between 80⁰C to 150⁰C, further particularly preferably the complexing reaction and the metathesis are carried out at reflux temperature and at atmospheric pressure.

Preferably the compounds of formula (I) are isolated following standard methods, usually they form a precipitate which is preferably isolated by filtration and dried.

A further subject of the invention is therefore a process for the preparation of the compounds of formula (I), as well as of the compounds of formula (I) in all the preferred aspects of the formula (I) as described above, by a complexing reaction of the ligands of the formula (III) and (IV) with metal salts, preferably in the presence of Cat⁺; with the azamethine ligands of formula (III) and/or (IV) preferably prepared by condensation reaction of the respective amine components, the respective coupling agents and a Ci -condensation agent; or by metathesis of precursor salts.

Preferably the complexing reaction is done with a metal salt derived from a divalent metal, with the metal salt more preferably being CoSO₄^VH₂O, in the presence of triethylamine.

The subject of the invention is further the use of the compounds of formula (I) as defined above and the use of the compounds of formula (I) in all the preferred aspects of the formula (I) as described above, in an optical layer for optical data recording.

The subject of the invention is further the use of the compounds of formula (I) as defined above and the use of the compounds of formula (I) in all the preferred aspects of the formula (I) as described above, as a dye in an optical layer for optical data recording.

A further subject of the present invention is an optical layer comprising at least one compound of formula (I) and the use of said optical layer for optical data recording media. An optical layer according to the invention may also comprise a mixture of two or more, preferably of two or three, more preferably of two compounds of formula (I). 2005CH109/1 25

A further subject of the invention therefore is an optical data recording medium comprising an optical layer comprising at least one compound of formula (I).

The compounds of formula (I) provide for particularly preferable properties when used in optical layers for optical data recording media according to the invention.

Further, the invention relates to a method for producing optical layers on a substrate comprising the following steps (a) providing a substrate, (b) dissolving at least one compound of formula (I) in an organic solvent to form a solution,

(c) coating the solution (b) on the substrate (a),

(d) evaporating the solvent to form an optical layer (also called dye layer or recording layer).

(a) Substrate

The substrate, which functions as support for the layers applied thereto, is advantageously semi-transparent (transmittance T>10%) or preferably transparent

(transmittance T>90%). The support can have a thickness of from 0.01 to 10 mm, preferably from 0.1 to 5 mm.

Suitable substrates are, for example, glass, minerals, ceramics and thermosetting or thermoplastic plastics. Preferred supports are glass and homo- or co-polymeric plastics.

Suitable plastics are, for example, thermoplastic polycarbonates, polyamides, polyesters, polyacrylates and polymethacrylates, polyurethanes, polyolefins, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyimides, thermosetting polyesters and epoxy resins. The most preferred substrates are polycarbonate (PC) or polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA).

The substrate can be in pure form or may also comprise customary additives, for example UV absorbers as light-stabilizers for the optical layer. The substrate is advantageously transparent over at least a portion of the range from 350 to 500 nm, so that it is permeable to at least 90% of the incident light of the writing or readout wavelength. 2005CH109/1 26

(b) Organic solvents

Organic solvents are selected from Ci-S alcohol, halogen substituted Ci-S alcohols, Ci-S ketone, Ci-S ether, halogen substituted Ci_-4 alkane, nitriles, preferably acetonitrile, or amides, or mixtures thereof. Preferred Ci-S alcohols or halogen substituted Ci-S alcohols are for example methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, diacetone alcohol (DAA), 2,2,3, 3-tetrafiuoro-l-propanol (TFP), trichloroethanol, 2-chloroethanol, octafiuoropentanol or hexafluorobutanol, more preferred 2,2,3,3-tetrafiuoro-l-propanol.

Preferred Ci-S ketones are for example acetone, methylisobutylketone, methylethylketone, or 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butanone.

Preferred halogen substituted Ci_-4 alkanes are for example chloroform, dichlorome thane or 1-chlorobutane.

Preferred amides are for example dimethylformamide or dimethylacetamide.

(c) Coating methods

Suitable coating methods are, for example, immersion, pouring, brush-coating, blade- application and spin-coating, as well as vapor-deposition methods carried out under a high vacuum. When pouring methods are used, solutions in organic solvents are generally used. When solvents are employed, care should be taken that the supports used are insensitive to those solvents. The optical layer is preferably applied by spin- coating with a dye solution.

(d) Optical layer (also called dye layer or recording layer)

The optical layer is preferably arranged between the transparent substrate and the reflecting layer. The thickness of the recording layer is from 10 to 1000 nm, preferably from 30 to 300 nm, more preferably from 70 to 250 nm, especially about 80 nm, for example from 60 to 120 nm.

The optical layer comprises a compound of formula (I) preferably in an amount sufficient to have a substantial influence on the refractive index, for example at least 30% by weight of the total weight of the optical layer, more preferably at least 60% by weight, most preferably at least 80% by weight.

Further customary components are stabilizers, for example ¹O₂-, triplet- or luminescence quenchers, melting-point reducers, decomposition accelerators or any other additives 2005CH109/1 27

that have already been described in optical data recording media. Preferably, stabilizers or fluorescence-quenchers are added if desired.

Stabilizers, ¹O₂-, triplet- or luminescence-quenchers are, for example, metal complexes of N- or S-containing enolates, phenolates, bisphenolates, thiolates or bisthiolates, hindered phenols and derivatives thereof such as o-hydroxyphenyl-triazoles or -triazines or other UV absorbers, such as hindered amines (TEMPO or HALS, as well as nitroxides or NOR-HALS), and also as cations diimmonium, Paraquat™ or Orthoquat salts, such as ^®Kayasorb IRG 022, ^®Kayasorb IRG 040, optionally also as radical ions, such as N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(4-dibutylaminophenyl)-p-phenylene amine-ammonium hexafluorophosphate, hexafluoroantimonate or perchlorate. The latter are available from Organica (Wolfen/DE); ^®Kayasorb brands are available from Nippon Kayaku Co. Ltd. In a preferred aspect, the present invention provides for an optical layer suitable for high-density recording material, e.g. of the WORM disc format, in a laser wavelength range of from 350-450nm, preferably around 405 nm.

Preparation of the optical data recording medium

A method for producing an optical data recording medium comprising an optical layer according to the invention usually comprises the following additional steps (e) applying a metal layer (also called reflective layer) onto the optical layer, (f) applying a second polymer based layer to complete the disk (cover layer or protective layer).

(e) Reflective layer The application of the metallic reflective layer is preferably effected by sputtering, vapor-deposition in vacuum or by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The sputtering technique is especially preferred for the application of the metallic reflective layer. Reflecting materials suitable for the reflective layer include especially metals, which provide good reflection of the laser radiation, used for recording and playback, for example the metals of Main Groups III, IV and V and of the Sub-groups of the Periodic Table of the Elements. Al, In, Sn, Pb, Sb, Bi, Cu, Ag, Au, Zn, Cd, Hg, Sc, Y, La, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Fe, Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, Pt, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu and alloys thereof are especially suitable. Special 2005CH109/1 28

preference is given to a reflective layer of aluminum, silver, copper, gold or an alloy thereof, on account of their high reflectivity and ease of production.

(f) Cover layer (also called protective layer) Materials suitable for the cover layer include plastics, which are applied in a thin layer to the support or the uppermost layer either directly or with the aid of adhesive layers. The material of the cover layer may for example be the same as the material of the substrate. It is advantageous to select mechanically and thermally stable plastics having good surface properties, which may be modified further. The plastics may be thermosetting plastics and thermoplastic plastics. Preference is given to radiation-cured (e.g. using UV radiation) protective layers, which are particularly simple and economical to produce. A wide variety of radiation-curable materials are known. Examples of radiation-curable monomers and oligomers are acrylates and methacrylates of diols, trio Is and tetrols, polyimides of aromatic tetracarboxylic acids and aromatic diamines having Ci-C4alkyl groups in at least two ortho-positions of the amino groups, and oligomers with dialkylmaleinimidyl groups, e.g. dimethyl maleinimidyl groups.

A high-density optical data recording medium according to the invention therefore preferably is a recordable optical disc comprising: a first substrate, which is a transparent substrate with grooves, a optical layer (recording layer), which is formed on the first substrate surface using the compounds of formula (I), a reflective layer formed on the optical layer, a second substrate, which is a transparent substrate connected to the reflective layer with an attachment layer.

The optical data recording medium according to the invention is preferably a recordable optical disc of the WORM type. It may be used, for example, as a playable HD-DVD (high density digital versatile disc) or Blu-ray^® disc, as storage medium for a computer or as an identification and security card or for the production of diffractive optical elements, for example holograms.

The optical data recording media according to the invention may also have additional layers, for example interference layers. It is also possible to construct optical data 2005CH109/1 29

recording media having a plurality of (for example two) recording layers. The structure and the use of such materials are known to the person skilled in the art. Preferred, if present, are interference layers that are arranged between the recording layer and the reflecting layer and/or between the recording layer and the substrate and consist of a dielectric material Of TiO₂, Si₃N₄, ZnS or silicone resins.

These optical data recording media according to the invention can be produced by processes known in the art.

Readout methods The structure of the optical data recording medium according to the invention is governed primarily by the readout method; known function principles include the measurement of the change in the transmission or, preferably, in the reflection, but it is also known to measure, for example, the fluorescence instead of the transmission or reflection. When the optical data recording medium is structured for a change in reflection, the following structures can be used: transparent support / recording layer (optionally multilayered) / reflective layer and, if expedient, protective layer (not necessarily transparent); or support (not necessarily transparent) / reflective layer / recording layer and, if expedient, transparent protective layer. In the first case, the light is incident from the support side, whereas in the latter case the radiation is incident from the recording layer side or, where applicable, from the protective layer side. In both cases the light detector is located on the same side as the light source. The first-mentioned structure of the recording material to be used according to the invention is generally preferred. When the optical data recording medium is structured for a change in light transmission, the following different structure comes into consideration: transparent support/ recording layer (optionally multilayered) and, if expedient, transparent protective layer. The light for recording and for readout can be incident either from the support side or from the recording layer side or, where applicable, from the protective layer side, the light detector in this case always being located on the opposite side. Suitable lasers are those having a wavelength of 350-500 nm, for example commercially available lasers having a wavelength of 405 to 414 nm, especially semi-conductor lasers. The recording is done, for example, point for point, by modulating the laser in accordance with the mark lengths and focusing its radiation onto the recording layer. It 2005CH109/1 30

is known from the specialist literature that other methods are currently being developed which may also be suitable for use.

The process according to the invention allows the storage of information with great reliability and stability, distinguished by very good mechanical and thermal stability and by high light stability and by sharp boundary zones of the pits. Special advantages include the high contrast, the low jitter and the surprisingly high signal/noise ratio, so that excellent readout is achieved.

The readout of information is carried out according to methods known in the art by registering the change in absorption or reflection using laser radiation.

The invention accordingly relates also to a method for the optical data recording, storage and playback of information, wherein an optical data recording medium according to the invention is used. The recording and the playback advantageously take place in a wavelength range of from 350 to 500 nm.

The compounds of formula (I) provide for particularly preferable properties when used in optical layers for optical data recording media according to the invention. They possess the required optical characteristics, demonstrated when used in the form of a solid film: • an advantageously homogeneous, amorphous and low-scattering optical layer,

• a high refractive index at the longer wavelength flank of the absorption band, which preferably achieves n values of the refractive index of from 1.0 to 3.0 in the range of from 350 to 500 nm,

• a high sensitivity under laser radiation of high power density and good playback characteristics in the desired spectral range,

• an enhanced photosensitivity and stability (in daylight and under laser radiation of low power density ) compared to dyes already known in the art,

• an uniform script width and a high contrast,

• an absorption maximum λ max in the preferred range between 390 nm and 470 nm as being preferred for blue laser applications, more precisely from 400 to

460 nm,

• a decomposition point DP in the preferred temperature range between 220⁰C and 350⁰C, more precisely 230⁰C to 300⁰C 2005CH109/1 31

• a sufficient heat release (HR)

Recording performance of a compound is related to specific parameters measured on disc like:

• a low simulated bit error rate (SbER) • a low inner parity error rate (PI error)

• a high reflectivity (R)

• a low laser recording power (Pw or OPC: optimum power control)

• good readout stability at several laser reading powers.

• an appropriate partial response signal to noise ratio (PRSNR)

The absorption edge is surprisingly steep even in the solid phase. The compounds of formula (I) also show a narrow decomposition temperature of 250- 350⁰C, fitting with the thermal requirements. Additionally, these compounds show a high solubility in organic solvents, which is ideal for the spin-coating process to manufacture optical layers.

2005CH109/1 32

Examples

UV-vis

For UV-vis spectra, λ max and ε values of a compound are determined by using an UV- vis spectrophotometer, the compound was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂, DMSO or TFP. The values are obtained by balancing the measurements performed on compound solutions at three different concentrations.

Thermal Decomposition: Decomposition point (DP) and heat release (HR)

For the determination of DP and HR, the compound is incorporated into a sealed aluminum pan. Analysis conditions are as following: Temperature range from 25 to

400⁰C, heating rate 10°C/min, nitrogen flow of 50 ml/min. Values are determined by single measurement.

Partial response signal to noise ratio (PRSNR)

A definition and the measuring techniques of PRSNR are described in a book available from DVD Format Logo Licensing Co., Ltd. for example, Annex H of Version 0.9,

PART 1 Physical Specifications, DVD Specifications for High Density Read-Only

Disk.

Simulated bit error rate (SbER)

A definition and the measuring techniques of SbER are described in a book available from DVD Format Logo Licensing Co., Ltd. for example, Annex H of Version 0.9,

PART 1 Physical Specifications, DVD Specifications for High Density Read-Only

Disk.

PRSNR and SbER are measured in a state in which information has been recorded in the adjacent tracks.

Modulation:

A definition and the measuring techniques of modulation are described in a book available from DVD Format Logo Licensing Co., Ltd. for example, Annex H of Version 0.9, PART 1 Physical Specifications, DVD Specifications for High Density Read-Only Disk. 2005CH109/1 33

Reflectivity (R)

A definition and the measuring techniques for the light reflectivity (R) is described in a book available from DVD Format Logo Licensing Co., Ltd. for example, Annex D of Version 0.9, PART 1 Physical Specifications, DVD Specifications for High Density Read-Only Disk.

Examplel: Azamethine ligand

Condensation reaction

A mixture of 15.0 g of 2-amino-4,5-dicyano-imidazole, 22.6 g of l,3-diethyl-2- thiobarbituric acid and 16.7 g of triethylorthoformiate was treated at reflux in 150 ml of acetic acid. After 8 hour of reaction at reflux, the bright yellow suspension was cooled to 25°C and filtered. The presscake was washed with some acetic acid and then with water until pH is neutral. After drying, 38.0 g of azamethine ligand of formula (1) was obtained.

Examples 2 and 3: Azamethine ligands

The condensation reaction was repeated with the respective amine components to yield azamethine ligands of formula (2) and (3).

(2) 2005CH109/1 34

Example 4: Metal complex dye by complexing reaction

7.6 g of ligand of formula (1) prepared according to example 1 are suspended in 80 ml of acetonitrile. After 15 minutes stirring at reflux, 6.7 g of triethylamine are added to the mixture. 4.16 g of cobalt sulfate heptahydrate are then added for over 15 minutes, whereupon a dark orange solution of the cobalt complex dye results. The mixture is heated at reflux for 6 hours and then cooled down to room temperature. The resulting precipitate is filtered off and the press cake washed with deionized water and dried. 16.8 g of the cobalt complex dye of the formula (4) is obtained.

Example 5 to 8: Metal complex dyes by metathesis

Exchange of triethylammonium counter-ion with other cationic moieties:

10 g of the metal complex dye of formula (4) and 5.3 g of CI Basic Yellow 28 are suspended in 120 ml of ethanol. The mixture is heated to reflux and kept at this temperature for 4 hours. The obtained red suspension is cooled to room temperature and the resulting precipitate is filtered with suction and washed with a further 50ml of ethanol and 500ml of water. 12.0 g of the cobalt complex dye of the formula (5) are obtained. 2005CH109/1 35

The complexing reaction according to example 4 with the respective metal salts and the metathesis according to example 5 with the respective CI Basic Yellow dyes were repeated with ligands prepared according to examples 1 to 3, to yield metal complex dyes of formulae (6), (7) and (8) of the examples 6 to 8, the combinations and the details are given in table (A).

2005CH109/1 36

2005CH109/1 37

Application Example 1

The optical and thermal properties of the compounds of formula (I) were studied. The compounds of formula (I) show high absorption at the desired wavelengths. In addition, the shapes of the absorption spectra, that still remain critical to the disc reflectivity and formation of clean mark edges, are composed of one major band, comprised in a range of from 350 to 500 nm.

More precisely, n values of the refractive index were evaluated between 1.0 and 2.7. Light stabilities were found comparable to commercial dyes which are already stabilized with quenchers for the use in optical data recording. Sharp threshold of thermal decomposition within the required temperature range characterizes the compounds of formula (I) which are desirable for the application in optical layers for optical data recording.

Application Example 2 - Optical layer and optical data recording medium 1.4% by weight, based on the weight of the tetrafiuoropropanol, of the compound of formula 6, prepared according to example 6, are dissolved in 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-l- propanol and the solution is filtered through a Teflon filter of pore size 0.2 μm and applied by spin-coating at 1000 rpm to the surface of a 0.6 mm thick, grooved polycarbonate disc of 120 mm diameter. The excess solution is spun off by increasing the rotational speed. On evaporation of the solvent, the dye remains behind in the form of a uniform, amorphous solid layer, the optical layer. After drying the optical layer in a circulating-air oven at 70⁰C (10 min) in a vacuum coating apparatus, a 100 μm thick silver layer is then applied to the recording layer by atomization. Then a 6 μm thick protective layer of a UV curable photopolymer (650-020, DSM) is applied thereto by means of spincoating. Finally, a second substrate is provided to combine with the resin protection layer using an attachment layer. This completes the manufacturing of a high- density recordable optical disc, the optical data recording medium.

Evaluation tests are performed using an optical disk evaluation device available from Pulse Tech Co., Ltd.

The testing conditions are the following ones:

• Numerical aperture (NA) of the optical head: 0.65 2005CH109/1 38

• Wavelength of a laser light for recording and reproduction: 405 nm

• Constant linear velocity (CLV): 6.61 m/sec.

• Track pitch: 400 nm

• Wobble amplitude of the groove track: 14 nm

• Groove depth: 90 nm.

Results obtained are summarized in the table (B).

A test for evaluating a degree of degradation due to repetition reproduction is conducted for each of the write-once optical disks made for the described dye recording layers. Readings are carried out at a reading laser power of 0.4 mW and the degrees of degradation of PRSNR and SbER are then measured. Maximum cycle number was found within the specifications.

Claims

2005CH109/1 39Claims

1. A compound of formula (I),

wherein

M represents a trivalent metal atom;

A¹ and A² represent independently for each other together with the N-C=N-group a five or six membered N-heteroaromatic cycle with a total of 2, 3 or 4 endocyclic N-atoms, the endocyclic 1, 2 or 3 carbon atoms of the this N-heteroaromatic cycle being unsubstituted or substituted by substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci-io alkyl, C_5-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, unsubstituted phenyl or substituted phenyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN,

CF₃, NO₂, Ci-I₀ alkyl, C_5-io-cycloalkyl, Ci-I₀ alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci-I₀ alkyl, O-Ce-io-aryl, S-C_6-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO- NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²², unsubstituted benzyl or substituted benzyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl,

Cs-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, 0-C_6-io-aryl, S- Cβ-io-aiyl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂ R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²², 2005CH109/1 40

NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²²,

NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²²;

Yellow Dyes; cations of formula (IV); triarylmethane type cations of formula (X); 2005CH109/1 41

pyridinium type cations of formula (XI); guanidinium type cations of formula (XII); H⁺; an equivalent Met^s+/s of a metal cation Met^s+ and an unsubstituted or substituted ammonium ion;

21_π22

Ci-I₀ alkyl, Cs-io-cycloalkyl, Ci-I₀ alkoxy, NR²¹R , S-Ci-I₀ alkyl, 0-C_6-io-aryl, S-

>21_π22 21_π22 ,21

Ce-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R , CO-R , SO₂R , CO-NR²¹R , NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-

R²¹ and Ci-I₀ alkyl-NR²¹R²²; R⁴³, R⁴⁴, R⁴⁵ and R⁴⁶ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, Cs-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, unsubstituted phenyl or substituted phenyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, C_5-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, O- Cβ-io-aiyl, S-Ce-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH- CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²², unsubstituted benzyl or substituted benzyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, C_5-10- cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, O-C_ό-io-aryl, S-C_ό-io-aryl, 2005CH109/1 42

SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂ R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci-I₀ alkyl-NR²¹R²²,

R⁴³ and R⁴⁴, R⁴⁴ and R⁴⁵ or R⁴⁵ and R⁴⁶ together with the two C atoms to which they are attached, form a saturated, unsaturated or aromatic 5- or 6-membered ring, which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2, 3 or 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci-io alkyl, C_5-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, O-C_6-i₀-aryl, S-

Cβ-io-aiyl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂- R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²²; R⁴¹ and R⁴² is selected from the group consisting of Ci-io-alkyl, C_5-10-cyclo alkyl, Ci- _lo-alkoxy, unsubstituted phenyl or substituted phenyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, C_5-i₀-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, O- Cβ-io-aiyl, S-Ce-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH- CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²²; R²⁴ and R²⁵ independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of H, unsubstituted or substituted Ci-io-alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted phenyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, C_5-i₀-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, O-C_6-i₀-aryl, S- Ce-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-

SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²², unsubstituted or substituted benzyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, C_5-i₀-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, O-C_6-i₀-aryl, S- Ce-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-

SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²²; s is one of the numbers 1, 2 or 3; 2005CH109/1 43

H, Ci-io alkyl and C_6-10 aryl; R²³ is OH or Ci-I₀ alkoxy.

2. A compound of formula (I) according to claim 1, wherein

M is selected from the group consisting of Co, Fe, Al, Cr;

with the (*) marking the bond to the azamethine group in formula (I) and with (**) marking the bond to the metal atom in formula (I); and with R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹² and R¹³ being independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, Ci_-I0 alkyl ₂, phenyl, halogen, nitro, CN and CF₃; R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, CH₃, C₂H₅, C₃H₇ and C₄H₉, unsubstituted phenyl or substituted phenyl, with 1 to 3 substituents being independently from each other selected from group consisting of Cl, Br, F and Ci-io alkyl. 2005CH109/1 44

3. A compound of formula (I) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein

M represents Co or Al; R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, CH₃, C₂H₅, unsubstituted and substituted phenyl, with 1 or 2 substituents being independently from each other selected from the group consisting of Cl and Ci-C₄-alkyl; R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹² and R¹³ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, CH₃, C₂H₅ and CN.

4. A compound of formula (I) according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, wherein Cat⁺ is a cation of the CI Basic Yellow Dyes.

5. A compound of formula (I) according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, wherein Cat⁺ is an ammonium ion of the formula (XXa),

N⁺R³⁰R³¹R³²R³³ (XXa) where the substituents R³⁰, R³¹, R³² and R³³ are identical or different and have the definition of Z²; with Z representing a group of the formula (XXb)

-[X¹⁰-Y¹⁰]_h-R³⁵ (XXb) in which h is a number from 0 to 100; 2005CH109/1 45

X¹⁰, if h is > 1, can also be a combination of these radicals;

— N N —

Y¹⁰, if h > 1, can also be a combination of these radicals;

R³⁴ and R³⁵ independently of one another are a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted, or partly fluorinated or perfluorinated, branched or unbranched C₁-C₂0 alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C₅-Cs cycloalkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted, or partly fluorinated or perfluorinated C₂-C₂0 alkenyl group, it being possible for any substituent to be hydroxyl, phenyl, cyano, chlorine, bromine, amino, C₂-C₄ acyl or C₁-C₄ alkoxy and the substituents to be 1 to 4 in number, or

1 or 2 further nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur atoms or carbonyl groups in the ring, the ring being unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 radicals independently from each other selected from the group consisting of OH, NH₂, phenyl, CN, Cl, Br, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, C₂-C₄ acyl and carbamoyl, and can carry 1 or 2 benzo-fused saturated, unsaturated or aromatic, carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings; or Z² is hydrogen, hydroxyl, amino, phenyl, (Ci-C₄)-alkylene-phenyl, C5-C30 cycloalkyl, C₂-C30 alkenyl, or is branched or unbranched C₁-C30 alkyl, it being possible for the phenyl ring, the (Ci-C₄)-alkylene-phenyl group, the C5-C30 cycloalkyl group, the C2-C30 alkenyl group and the C1-C30 alkyl group to be substituted by one or more substituents independently from each other selected 2005CH109/1 46

from the group consisting of Cl, Br, CN, NH₂, OH, phenyl, the phenyl can be substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 C1-C20 alkoxy radicals, carbamoyl, carboxyl, C2-C4 acyl, Ci-C₈ alkyl, NR³⁴R³⁵, where R³⁴ and R³⁵ are as defined above, and Ci-C₄ alkoxy, or for the alkyl group and the alkenyl group to be perfluorinated or partly fluorinated; or where the substituents

R³⁰ and R³¹ together with the nitrogen atom of the ammonium ion can form a five- to seven-membered saturated or unsaturated ring which can contain 1 , 2 or 3 further heteroatoms from the group O, S and N or carbonyl groups, and which can carry 1 or 2 fused-on saturated, unsaturated or aromatic, carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings; the ring system and the rings fused on, where appropriate, can be substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 radicals from the group OH, NH₂, phenyl, CN, Cl, Br, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, C₂-C₄ acyl and carbamoyl; or where the substituents R³⁰, R³¹ and R³² together with the nitrogen atom of the ammonium ion can form a five- to seven-membered aromatic ring system which can contain 1, 2 or 3, preferably 1 or 2 further heteroatoms from the group O, S and N or carbonyl groups, and which can carry 1 or 2 fused-on saturated, unsaturated or aromatic, carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings; the ring system and the rings fused on where appropriate can be substituted by 1, 2 or 3 radicals independently selected from the group consisting of OH, NH₂, phenyl, CN, Cl, Br, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, C₂-C₄ acyl and carbamoyl.

2005CH109/1 47

6. A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I) as defined in one or more of claims 1 to 5 by complexing reaction of one equivalent of a ligand of the formula (III) and one equivalent of a ligand of the formula (IV) with a one equivalent of a metal salt,

wherein

A¹ and A² represent independently for each other together with the N-C=N-group a five or six membered N-heteroaromatic cycle with a total of 2, 3 or 4 endocyclic N-atoms, the endocyclic 1, 2 or 3 carbon atoms of the this N-heteroaromatic cycle being unsubstituted or substituted by substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci-io alkyl, Cs-io-cycloalkyl, C_1-10 alkoxy, unsubstituted phenyl or substituted phenyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci-I₀ alkyl, C_5-io-cycloalkyl, Ci-I₀ alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci-I₀ alkyl, 0-C_6-io-aryl, S-C_6-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO- NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci-I₀ alkyl-NR²¹R²², unsubstituted benzyl or substituted benzyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci-I₀ alkyl, Cs-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, 0-C_6-io-aryl, S- 2005CH109/1 48

Ce-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂ R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²²,

NR²¹R²², S-Ci-I₀ alkyl, 0-C_6-io-aryl, S-C_6-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²²; and/ or this N-heteroaromatic cycle being fused to a benzene ring, the fused benzene ring being unsubstituted or substituted by 1 to 4 substituents independently from each other selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, Cs-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, unsubstituted phenyl or substituted phenyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN,

CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, C_5-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, O-C_6-i₀-aryl, S-C_6-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO- NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²², unsubstituted benzyl or substituted benzyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl,

Cs-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, 0-C_6-io-aryl, S- Cβ-io-aiyl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂ R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²²,

NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, 0-C_6-io-aryl, S-C_6-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²²;

W¹ and W² independently from each other represent O or S; R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, Ci_io alkyl, C_5-Io cycloalkyl, unsubstituted phenyl or substituted phenyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃,

NO₂, C_LIO alkyl, C_5-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, O-Ce-io-aryl, S-C_6-i₀-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²², unsubstituted benzyl or substituted benzyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃,

NO₂, Ci-I₀ alkyl, C_5-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, O-Ce-io-aryl, S-C_6-i₀-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²²; 2005CH109/1 49

with Cat⁺ being present or being formed during the complexing reaction, and

A⁵ is a unsubstituted phenyl or substituted phenyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci-I₀ alkyl, Cs-io-cycloalkyl, Ci-I₀ alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci-I₀ alkyl, 0-C_6-io-aryl, S-

Ce-io-aryl, SO₂-NR >2²1¹ _πR22 , CO-R , SO₂R , CO-NR 2²1¹ _πR22 , NH-CO-R ,2²1¹, NH-SO₂-

R²¹ and Ci-I₀ alkyl-NR²¹R²²; R⁴³, R⁴⁴, R⁴⁵ and R⁴⁶ are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, Cs-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, unsubstituted phenyl or substituted phenyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci-I₀ alkyl, C_5-io-cycloalkyl, Ci-I₀ alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci-I₀ alkyl, O- Cβ-io-aiyl, S-Ce-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH- CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci-I₀ alkyl-NR²¹R²², 2005CH109/1 50

unsubstituted benzyl or substituted benzyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, C_1-10 alkyl, C_5-10- cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, 0-C_6-io-aryl, S-C_6-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂ R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²²,

NR²¹R²², S-Ci-io alkyl, 0-C_6-io-aryl, S-C_6-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²²; or

R⁴³ and R⁴⁴, R⁴⁴ and R⁴⁵ or R⁴⁵ and R⁴⁶ together with the two C atoms to which they are attached, form a saturated, unsaturated or aromatic 5- or 6-membered ring, which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2, 3 or 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, Cs-io-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, O-C_6-i₀-aryl, S- Cβ-io-aiyl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂- R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²²;

R⁴¹ and R⁴² is selected from the group consisting of Ci-io-alkyl, C_5-10-cyclo alkyl, C_1- _lo-alkoxy, unsubstituted phenyl or substituted phenyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, C_5-i₀-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, O-

Cβ-io-aiyl, S-Ce-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH- CO-R²¹, NH-SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²²; R²⁴ and R²⁵ independently from each other are selected from the group consisting of

H, unsubstituted or substituted Ci-io-alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted phenyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, C_5-i₀-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, O-C_6-i₀-aryl, S- Cβ-io-aiyl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH- SO₂-R²¹ and Ci_-I0 alkyl-NR²¹R²², unsubstituted or substituted benzyl with 1 to 4 substituents being independently selected from the group consisting of OH, halogen, CN, CF₃, NO₂, Ci_-I0 alkyl, C_5-i₀-cycloalkyl, Ci_-I0 alkoxy, NR²¹R²², S-Ci_-I0 alkyl, O-C_6-i₀-aryl, S- 2005CH109/1 51

Ce-io-aryl, SO₂-NR²¹R²², CO-R²³, SO₂R²³, CO-NR²¹R²², NH-CO-R²¹, NH-

SO₂-R²¹ and Ci-I₀ alkyl-NR²¹R²²; s is one of the numbers 1, 2 or 3;

R²¹ and R²² are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of H, Ci-io alkyl and C_6-io aryl;

R²³ is OH or Ci-I₀ alkoxy;

7. A process according to claim 6, wherein the metal salt is a derived from a metal selected from the group consisting of Co, Al, Fe, Cr.

8. A process according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the complexing reaction is done with CoSO4*7H₂O in the presence of triethylamine.

9. The use of a compound of formula (I) as defined in one or more of claims 1 to 5 in an optical layer for optical data recording.

10. The use according to claim 9 of a compound of formula (I) as defined in one or more of claims 1 to 5 as a dye in an optical layer for optical data recording.

11. An optical layer comprising at least one compound of formula (I) as defined in one or more of claims 1 to 5. 2005CH109/1 52

12. A method for producing an optical layer as defined in claim 11, comprising the following steps

(a) providing a substrate, (b) dissolving at least one compound of formula (I) as defined in one or more of claims 1 to 4 in an organic solvent to form a solution,

(c) coating the solution (b) on the substrate (a),

(d) evaporating the solvent to form an optical layer.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the substrate is polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate.

14. A method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the organic solvent is selected from C_1-8 alcohol, halogen substituted C_1-8 alcohols, C_1-8 ketone, C_1-8 ether, halogen substituted Ci_-4 alkane, or amides.

15. An optical data recording medium comprising an optical layer as defined in claim 11.