Coloured objects, articles or parts made of aluminium or aluminium alloys and that are provided with a protective oxide layer, especially an oxide layer produced by galvanic means by anodisation, are nowadays increasingly being used as components of buildings and of transportation means or vehicles, or for the decoration thereof, or for basic consumer goods or works of art. It is desired that the properties of the coloured layers in terms of fastness to environmental effects, especially the effect of sunlight, be as high as possible.

Various initiatives have been taken to solve this problem. For example, dyes of a particular structure, for example the 1: 2 chromium complex dyes described in WO 98/54264 and WO 98/58025, have been used, or certain sealing processes, as described in WO 01/21860 and EP-A-1 087 038, have been used, by means of which an improvement in light fastness can be obtained, but the improvement is inadequate for articles that are to be used for external architecture.

It has now, surprisingly, been found that the light fastness properties of aluminium dyeings can be very markedly increased by using a dye of formula (I) as described hereinbelow to colour the aluminium oxide layers.

The present invention accordingly relates to a process for producing coloured oxide layers on aluminium or on aluminium alloys by dyeing in an aqueous dyeing bath, rinsing with water and sealing, wherein there is used for the dyeing at least one dye of the general formula wherein m is a value from 1 to 8, especially from 1 to 4, n is a value from 0 to 7, especially from 1 to 4, the sum of m and n being less than or equal to 8, A is the radical of a chromophore of the 1-aminoanthraquinone, anthraquinone, anthrapyrimidine, azo, azomethine, benzodifuranone, quinacridone, quinacridonequinone, quinophthalone, diketopyrrolopyrrole, dioxazine, flavanthrone, indanthrone, indigo, isoindoline, isoindolinone, isoviolanthrone, perinone, perylene, phthalocyanine, pyranthrone or thioindigo series, B is a hydrogen atom, a branched or straight-chain C1-8alkyl, C2-8alkenyl or C2-8alkynyl radical, an aryl radical, an N-, O-or S-containing 5-or 6-membered heterocyclic ring, or a Ci. 8alkyl- arylen, aryl-C1-8alkylene or aryl-L-arylene radical, each of which may be substituted by one or more groups-OH,-Ocat,-COOH,-COOcat,-SH,-Scat,-OR',-SR2,-C (O) OR3, -C (O) R4, -NR5R6, it being possible for the C1. 8alkyl radical to be uninterrupted or interrupted one or more times by -O- or by-S-, R', R2, R3 and R4 are each independently of the others a C1-8alkyl radical, C7-11aralkyl radical or C6. 10aryl radical and R4 additionally may be a hydrogen atom, L is a bond, is-NR7 wherein R7 is a hydrogen atom or a C1-4alkyl radical, or is a-N=N-group, and R5 and R6 are each independently of the other a hydrogen atom, a Ci. 8alkyl radical, a C1-4alkoxy-C1-4alkyl radical, a C6. 10aryl radical, a C7.llaralkyl radical or a- (CH2) oOH radical wherein o is an integer from 2 to 6, X1 is a hydrogen atom or cat and X2 is a hydrogen atom or cat, cat being a cation 1/z catZ+, and to the substrates coloured using that method, z indicating the number of the positive charges.

B may have different substituent meanings within a chromophore A.

In the group B, the radicals may be defined as follows : Alkyl or alkylen may be straight-chain or branched.

C1-8Alkyl is, for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-buty !, isobutyl, tert- butyl, n-pentyl, 2-pentyl, 3-pentyl, 2, 2-dimethylpropyl, hexyl, heptyl, 2,4, 4-trimethylpentyl, 2- ethylhexyl or octyl, which may be unsubstituted or substituted by-OH,-Ocat,-COOH, - COOcat,-SH,-Scat,-OR',-SR2,-C (O) OR3,-C (O) R4 or by-NR5R5, wherein R', R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are as defined hereinabove.

Examples of C2. 8alkenyl, which may also have two double bonds optionally isolated or conjugated, are vinyl, allyl, 2-propen-2-yl, 2-buten-1-yl, 3-buten-1-yl, 1, 3-butadien-2-yi, 2-penten-1-yl, 3-penten-2-yl, 2-methyl-1-buten-3-yl, 2-methyl-3-buten-2-yl, 3-methyl-2-buten-1- yl and 1, 4-pentadien-3-yl, which may be unsubstituted or substituted by-OH,-Ocat,-COOH, -COOcat, -SH, -Scat, -OR1, -SR2, -C(O)OR3, -C(O)R4 or by -NR5R6, wherein R', R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are as defined hereinabove.

Preference is given especially to linear Cl. 5alkyl and C2-5alkenyl radicais terminaily substituted by an-OH,-Ocat,-COOH,-COOcat,-SH,-Scat,-OR',-SR2,-C (O) OR3,-C (O) R4 or-NR5R8 group.

C2-C8AIkyl interrupted one or more times by-O-or by-S-is interrupted, for example, 1,2 or 3 times by-O-or by-S-, resulting, for example, in structural units such as- (CH2) 20CH3, -(CH2CH2O)2CH2CH3, -CH2-O-CH3, -CH2CH2-O-CH2CH3, -[CH2CH2O]y-CH3 wherein y = 1-3, -CH2-CH(CH3)-O-CH2-CH2CH3 and -CH2-CH(CH3)-O-CH2-CH3, which may be unsubstituted or substituted by-OH,-Ocat,-COOH,-COOcat,-SH,-Scat,-OR',-SR2,-C (O) OR3,-C (O) R4 or by -NR5R6.

Examples of C2. 8alkynyl include ethynyl, 1-propyn-1-yl, 2-butyn-1-yl, 3-butyn-1-yl, 2-pentyn-1-yl and 3-pentyn-2-yl.

C1-C8AIkylene is linear or branched alkylen, for example methylene, ethylene, propylene, isopropylene, n-butylene, sec-butylene, isobutylene, tert-butylene, pentylen, hexylen, heptylene,-CH (CH3)-CH2-,-CH (CH3)-(CH2) 2-,-CH (CH3)-(CH2) 3-, -C (CH3) 2-CH2- or preference being given to alkylen radicals having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms.

When the alkylene radical is substituted by-O-or by-S-, examples of the resulting structural units include-CH2-O-CH2-,-CH2CH2-O-CH2CH2-,-CH2-CH (CH3)-O-CH2-CH (CH3) -, - CH2-S-CH2-,-CH2CH2-S-CH2CH2-and-CH2CH2CH2-S-CH2CH2CH2-.

Examples of a Cr 8alkoxy radical that may be linear or branched include methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, sec-butoxy, isobutoxy, tert-butoxy, n-pentyloxy, 2-pentyloxy, 3-pentyloxy, 2, 2-dimethylpropoxy, n-hexyloxy, n-heptyloxy, n-octyloxy, 1,1, 3, 3-tetramethyl- butoxy and 2-ethylhexyloxy. According to the present invention, aryl is to be understood to mean especially an aryl radical having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, for example phenyl, naphthyl or biphenyl, that may be substituted one, two or three times by linear or branched C, 4alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl or tert-butyl, by linear or branched Ct. 4alkoxy, such as methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, isobutoxy, sec-butoxy or tert-butoxy, by linear or branched C, 4alkylthio, such as methylthio, ethylthio, n-propylthio, isopropylthio, n-butylthio, isobutylthio, sec-butylthio or tert-butylthio, by -OH,-SH,-COOH,-Ocat,-Scat,-COOcat or by a group (CH2) e-E, wherein e is an integer from 1 to 6, especially 2 or 3, and E is a hydrogen atom or a group-OH,-Ocat,-SH,-Scat,-OR', - SR2,-C (O) OR3,-C (O) R4 or-NR5R6, wherein R', R2, R3 and R4 are each independently of the others a Cl. 4alkyl radical, especially methyl or ethyl, and Rs and R5 are a-(CH2) oOH radical wherein o is an integer from 2 to 6, especially 2 or 3, and cat is an alkali metal cation, especially a sodium or potassium cation, unsubstituted ammonium or an ammonium cation.

Preference is given to phenyl groups, which may be substituted by one, two or three groups selected from-OH, methoxy,- (CH2) 20H,-Ocat and- (CH2) 20cat, for example 3,4, 5- trimethoxyphenyl, 4-hydroxyphenyl, 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl or 2-hydroxy-l-ethylphenyl.

Examples of a C7-11aralkyl radical, which may be unsubstituted or substituted, include benzyl, 2-benzyl-2-propyl, 0-phenyl-ethyl, a, a-dimethylbenzyl and phenyl-butyl.

An 0-, S-or N-containing 5-or 6-membered heterocyclic ring is, for example, pyrrolyl, oxinyl dioxinyl, 2-thienyl, 2-fury, 1-pyrazolyl, 2-pyridyl, 2-thiazolyl, 2-oxazolyl, 2-imidazolyl, isothiazolyl, triazolyl or any other ring system consisting of thiophene, furan, pyridine, thiazole, oxazol, imidazole, isothiazole, thiadiazole, triazole, pyridine and benzene rings and unsubstituted or substituted by from 1 to 6 ethyl, methyl, ethylene and/or methylene groups.

In the groups-OR',-SR2,-C (O) OR and-C (O) R4, R', R2, R3 and R4 may have, inter alia, the following meanings: R', R2, R3 and R4 denoting C, 4alkyl are, for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl or tert-butyl, preferably methyl or ethyl, and denoting C6, 2aryl are, for example, phenyl, biphenyl or naphthyl, preferably phenyl.

In the group-NR5R6, R5 and R6, in addition to being a hydrogen atom, are a C14alkyl radical, for example methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl or tert-butyl, preferably methyl or ethyl, or a -(CH2)oOH radical wherein o is an integer from 1 to 6, especially 2 or 3, and the nitrogen atom is preferably symmetrically substituted.

As has already been mentioned, B may have various substituent meanings according to chromophore A, and is more especially selected from the following substituents: a hydrogen atom,- (CH2) e-E and wherein e is an integer from 1 to 6, especially 2 or 3, E is a hydrogen atom, an-OH,-Ocat,-SH,-Scat,-OR1,-SR2,-NR5R6 or-C (o) oR3 group, and X, Y and Z are each independently of the others selected from a hydrogen atom and the groups-OH,-Ocat,-SH,-Scat,-OR',-SR2,-NR5R6 and-C (O) OR3, R', R2 and R3 each independently of the others being a C14alkyl radical, especially methyl or ethyl, R5 und R6 being a- (CH2) oOH radical wherein o is an integer from 2 to 6, and cat being a sodium or potassium cation or unsubstituted ammonium or being an ammonium cation described hereinbelow to which preference is given.

Xl and X2 may each be a hydrogen atom or a cation cat.

Suitable cations cat in formulae (I), (II) and (111)-and in the groups-Ocat, -COOcat and-Scat - are generally radicals that are capable of forming water-soluble salts with the sulfonic acids or sulfonamides.

They include, for example, alkaline earth metal cations, such as strontium and calcium cations, alkali metal cations, especially lithium, sodium and potassium cations, and quaternary ammonium cations, especially unsubstituted ammonium and ammonium cations of formula +NR 1 R R R, wherein R, R, R and R34 are each independently of the others a hydrogen atom, a straight-chain or branched C1. 32alkyl radical, especially a C1, 6alkyl radical, which may be unsubstituted or substituted by one or more Cr4alkoxy radicals, a straight-chain or branched C2., 6alkenyl radical, a hydroxy-C1_salkyl radical, especially a hydroxy-C 4alkyl radical, or a C6 24aryl radical, especially a C6-12aryl radical, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more Cl. 4alkyl radicals, C, 4alkoxy radicals or hydroxy groups, especially a phenyl group substituted by a hydroxy group, or a C7-24aralkyl radical, especially a C7-11aralkyl radical, unsubstituted or substituted by one or more C1 4alkyl radicals, C1-4alkoxy radicals or hydroxy groups, such as phenyl-C1 4alkylene, wherein at least one of the radicals R, R32, R33 and R34 is other than a hydrogen atom, or two of the radicals R3', R32, R33 and R34, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, form a 5-or 6-membered ring that may contain additional hetero atoms, for example S, N or 0.

The following are examples of especially preferred ammonium cations: - unsubstituted ammonium, - mono-, di-, tri-or tetra-Ci_4alkylammonium, such as methylammonium, ethylammonium, 3- propylammonium, isopropylammonium, butylammonium, sec-butylammonium, isobutyl- ammonium, 1, 2-dimethylpropylammonium or 2-ethylhexylammonium, dimethylammonium, diethylammonium, dipropylammonium, diisopropylammonium, dibutylammonium, diisobutyl- ammonium, di-sec-butylammonium, di-2-ethylhexylammonium, N-methyl-n-butylammonium or N-ethyl-n-butylammonium, trimethylammonium, triethylammonium, tripropylammonium, tributylammonium, N, N-dimethylethylammonium, N, N-dimethylisopropylammonium, N, N-dimethylbenzylammonium or (CH3) 2 ((CH3O)2CHCH2)NH+, - mono-, di-, tri-or tetra-CB_i6alkylammonium, such as (notional representation of the ammonium cation of Primene 81 Ru)), - C1-4alkoxy-C1-4alkylammonium, such as 2-methoxyethylammonium, bis (2-methoxyethyl)- ammonium, 3-methoxypropylammonium or ethoxypropylammonium, - mono-, di-or tri-(hydroxy-C1-4alkyl)ammonium, such as mono-, di-or tri-ethanolammonium, mono-, di-or tri-isopropanolammonium, N-methyl-or N, N-dimethyl-ethanolammonium, -propanolammonium or-isopropanolammonium, N-methyl-diethanolammonium,-dipropanol- ammonium or-diisopropylammonium, N-ethyl-diethanolammonium,-dipropanolammonium or <BR> <BR> -diisopropylammonium, N-propyl-diethanolammonium,-dipropanolammonium or-diisopropyl- ammonium, <BR> <BR> - N- (2-hydroxyethyl) pyrrolidinium, N- (2- or 3-hydroxypropyl) pyrrolidinium, N- (2-hydroxyethyl)- piperidinium, N- (2- or 3-hydroxypropyl) piperidinium, N- (2-hydroxyethyl) morpholinium, N- (2- or 3-hydroxypropyl) morpholinium or N- (2-hydroxyethyl) piperazinium, and especially such as 2-, 3-or 4- hydroxyphenylammonium, wherein R35 is a hydroxy group, a C, 8alkoxy group, a carboxylic acid group or COOR36 in which R36 is a C, 8alkyl group, C6, 0aryl group or C7"aralkyl group.

Tetramethylammonium and tetraethylammonium salts are suitable especially for inkjet printing.

Ammonium cations of formula may assist in increasing light-fastness.

Polyammonium salts, especially diammonium compounds, are likewise suitable. Preferred diammonium compounds are derived from the following amines: 1,2-diaminoethane, 1,2- diamino-1-methylethane, 1, 2-diamino-1, 2-dimethylethane, 1, 2-diamino-1, 1-dimethylethane, 1,2-diaminopropane, 1,3-diaminopropane, 1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane, N-methyl-1, 2- diaminoethane, 1, 4-diazacyclohexane 1,2-diamino-1, 1-dimethylethane, 2,3-diaminobutane, 1,4-diaminobutane, N-hydroxyethyl-1, 2-diaminoethane, 1-ethyl-1, 3-diaminopropane, 2,2- dimethyl-1, 3-diaminopropane, 1,5-diaminopentane, 2-methyl-1, 5-diaminopentane, 2,3- diamino-2, 3-dimethylbutane, N-2-aminoethylmorpholine, 1,6-diaminohexane, 1,6-diamino- 2,2, 4-trimethylhexane, N, N-dihydroxyethyl-1, 2-diaminoethane, N, N-dimethyl-1, 2-diamino- ethane, 4,9-dioxa-1, 12-diaminododecane, 1, 2-diaminocyclohexane, 1, 3-diamino-4-methyl- cyclohexane, 1, 2-diaminocyclohexane, 1-amino-2-aminomethyl-2-methyl-4, 4-dimethyl- cyclohexane, 1, 3-diaminomethylcyclohexane, N-2-aminoethylpiperazine, 1,1-di (4-amino- cyclohexyl) methane, 1,1-di (4-aminophenyl) methane, N, N'-diisopropyl-p-phenylenediamine, N, N'-di-sec-butyl-p-phenylenediamine, N, N'-bis (1, 4-dimethyl-pentyl)-p-phenylenediamine, N, N'-bis (1-ethyl-3-methyl-pentyl)-p-phenylenediamine, N, N'-bis (1-methyl-heptyl)-p-phenylene- diamine, N, N'-dicyclohexyl-p-phenylenediamine, N, N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N, N'-di (2- <BR> <BR> <BR> naphthyl)-p-phenylenediamine, N-isopropyl-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N- (1, 3-dimethyl-<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> butyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N- (1-methyl-heptyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N-cyclohexyl-N'-phenyl-p-phenylendiamine and N, N'-dimethyl-N, N'-di-sec-butyl-p-phenylene- diamine.

A preferred embodiment concerns a process for producing coloured oxide layers on aluminium or on aluminium alloys by dyeing in an aqueous dye bath, rinsing with water and sealing, wherein there is used for the dyeing at least one dye of the general formula wherein m is a value from 1 to 8, especially from 1 to 4, A is the radical of a chromophore of the 1-aminoanthraquinone, anthraquinone, anthrapyrimidine, azo, azomethine, benzodifuranone, quinacridone, quinacridonequinone, quinophthalone, diketopyrrolopyrrole, dioxazine, flavanthrone, indanthrone, indigo, isoindoline, isoindolinone, isoviolanthrone, perinone, perylene, phthalocyanine, pyranthrone or thioindigo series and cat is an alkaline earth metal cation, especially Ca2+, unsubstituted ammonium or an ammonium cation, and to the substrates coloured by such a process.

The dyes of the general formula (II) hereinabove that can be used in that embodiment are generally derived from compounds in which A is the radical of a chromophore of the 1-aminoanthraquinone, anthraquinone, anthrapyrimidine, azo, azomethine, benzodifuranone, quinacridone, quinacridonequinone, quinophthalone, diketopyrrolopyrrole, dioxazine, flavanthrone, indanthrone, indigo, isoindoline, isoindolinone, isoviolanthrone, perinone, perylene, phthalocyanine, pyranthrone or thioindigo series.

The number of sulfonic acid groups very strongly depends on the chromophore A, but is generally from 1 to 8 and preferably from 1 to 4.

The ammonium cation is generally a cation of the following formula wherein Fill, R12, Rt3 and R14 are a hydrogen atom, a straight-chain or branched C 36alkyl radical, preferably C1. 16alkyl radical, which may be unsubstituted or substituted, a straight- chain or branched hydroxy-C1 36alkyl radical, especially hydroxy-Cl. 8alkyl radical, an unsubstituted or substituted C6 24aryl radical, especially C6, 0aryl radical, or an unsubstituted or substituted C7. 24aralkyl radical, especially C7. 12aralkyl radical, or two of the radicals R", R'2, R13 and R14, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, form a five-or six- membered heterocyclic ring, such as pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino.

When a plurality of sulfonic acid groups are present in the molecule, the ammonium cations may have identical or different meanings.

Examples of preferred ammonium cations are unsubstituted ammonium, a cation of formula wherein R11, R12, R13 and R14 are each a hydrogen atom, a straight-chain or branched C1. 16alkyl radical that may be unsubstituted or substituted by one or more C1. 4alkoxy radicals, a hydroxy-Ci. 8alkyl radical, especially a hydroxy-Ct4alkyl radical, or a C6-10aryl radical unsubstituted or substituted by one or more Ctgalkyl radicals, C 4alkoxy radicals or hydroxy groups, especially a phenyl group substituted by a hydroxy group, at least one of the radicals R11, R12, R13and R14 being other than a hydrogen atom.

The following are examples of especially preferred ammonium cations: - mono-, di-or tri-C1 4alkylammonium, such as trimethyl-or triethyl-ammonium or (CH3) 2 ( (CH30) 2CHCH2) NH+, - mono-, di-or tri-C8 16alkylammonium, such as (notional representation of the ammonium cation of Primene 81 R (íD), - mono-, di-or tri-(hydroxy-C1 4alkyl) ammonium, such as mono-, di-or tri-ethanolammonium or mono-, di-or tri-isopropanolammonium or N-methyl-N-ethanol-ammonium, and such as 2-, 3-or 4-hydroxyphenyl.

According to the invention, a C1 36alkyl radical is to be understood to mean a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having from 1 to 36 carbon atoms, especially a C1. 16alkyl radical, which may be unsubstituted or substituted by one or more C1-4alkoxy radicals, for example methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, 2-pentyl, 3-pentyl, 2, 2-dimethylpropyl, hexyl, heptyl, 2,4, 4-trimethylpentyl, 2-ethylhexyl, octyl or dimethoxymethyl.

Examples of a C1-4alkoxy radical, which may be linear or branched, are methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, sec-butoxy, isobutoxy and tert-butoxy.

The C6. 24aryl radical is preferably a C6. 12aryl radical that may be unsubstituted or substituted by C1-4alkyl, C1-4alkoxy or by hydroxy, for example phenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl or 2-, 3-or 4-hydroxyphenyl.

Examples of a C7. 24aralkyl radical, especially a C7 12aralkyl radical, which may be unsubstituted or substituted, are benzyl, 2-benzyl-2-propyl, ß-phenyl-ethyl, a, a-dimethylbenzyl, phenyl- butyl and #-phenyl-octyl.

Preferred dyes of formula 11 have the following structure: wherein M is H2, a divalent metal selected from the group Cu (II), Zn (il), Fe (II), Ni (II), Ru (il), Rh (II), Pd (II), Pt (II), Mn (II), Mg (II), Be (II), Ca (li), Ba (II), Cd (II), Hg (II), Sn (II), Co(II) and Pb (il), especially Cu (II) or Zn (II), or a divalent oxometal selected from the group V (O), Mn (O) and TiO, and m is a value from 3 to 5, especially from 3 to 4; wherein R21 and R22 are independently of the other hydrogen, halogen, especially chlorine, a C1-4alkyl radical, especially -CH3, or -CH2H5, a C » alkoxy radical, especially-OCH3, or-OC2H5 or the group of formula -NHCO-C1-C4alkyl# R23 and R24 are each independently of the other hydrogen, halogen, especially chlorine, a Ci- 4alkyl radical, especially-CH3, or-C2H5, a Ci. 4alkoxy radical, especially -OCH3, or -OC2H5 or the group of formula-NHCO-Ci-C4alkyl, and R25 is a C-14alkyl radical, especially-CH3, phenyl, a C1-4alkoxy radical, especially -COOCH3, - COOC2H5,-NHCO-C1-C4alkyl or-CONH-C1-C4alkyl, especially wherein R21 is-CH3 and R22 is chlorine, R21 and R22 are chlorine, R21 is-CH3 and R22 is hydrogen, or R21 is chlorine and R22 is-C2H5, cat being as defined hereinabove, especially calcium, (notional representation of the ammonium cation of Primene 81 R#), mono-, di-or tri-Ci-2alkyl-and/or-B-hydroxy-C2-3alkylammonium, for example mono-, di-or tri-isopropanolammonium, mono-, di-or tri-ethanolammonium, N-methyl-N-ethanol- ammonium, (CH3) 2 ((CH30) 2CHCH2) NH+ or In case of the salts of formula Ilf cat is in particular calcium, or unsubstituted ammonium or a mixture of calcium and unsubstituted ammonium.

A further preferrred embodiment concerns a process for producing coloured oxide layers on aluminium or on aluminium alloys by dyeing in an aqueous dye bath, rinsing with water and sealing, wherein there is used for the dyeing at least one dye of the general formula wherein m is a value from 1 to 8, especially from 1 to 4, n is a value from 1 to 7, especially from 1 to 4, the sum of m and n being less than or equal to 8, A is the radical of a chromophore of the 1-aminoanthraquinone, anthraquinone, anthrapyrimidine, azo, azomethine, benzodifuranone, quinacridone, quinacridonequinone, quinophthalone, diketopyrrolopyrrole, dioxazine, flavanthrone, indanthrone, indigo, isoindoline, isoindolinone, isoviolanthrone, perinone, perylene, phthalocyanine, pyranthrone or thioindigo series, B is a hydrogen atom, a branched or straight-chain C1 8alkyl, C2. 8alkenyl or Cs-satkynyi radical, an aryl radical, an N-, O-or S-containing 5-or 6-membered heterocyclic ring, or a Cl. 8alkyl- aryiene, aryl-C1-8alkylene or aryl-L-arylene radical, each of which may be substituted by one or more groups -OH, -Ocat, -COOH, -COOcat, -SH, -Scat, -OR1, -SR2, -C (O) OR,-C (O) R4, -NR5R6, wherein the C1. 8alkyl radical may be uninterrupted or interrupted one or more times by -O- or by -S-, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are each independently of the others a C1 8alkyl radical, C7 11aralkyl radical or C6-10aryl radical and R4 additionally may be a hydrogen atom, L is a bond, is -NR7 wherein R7 is a hydrogen atom or a C1-4alkyl radical, or is a group-N=N-, and R5 and R6 are each independently of the other a hydrogen atom, a C1- 8alkyl radical, a C1-4alkoxy-C1-4alkyl radical, a C6-10aryl radical, a C7 11aralkyl radical or a- (CH2) oOH radical wherein o is an an integer from 2 to 6, X1 is a hydrogen atom or cat and X2 is a hydrogen atom or cat, cat being a cation, and to the substrates coloured by such a process.

Preferred dyes of formula III have the following structure: wherein M is H2, a divalent metal selected from the group Cu (II), Zn (li), Fe (II), Ni (il), Ru (il), Rh (II), Pd (II), Pt (II), Mn (il), Mg (II), Be (II), Ca (II), Ba (II), Cd (II), Hg (II), Sn (II), Co (II) and Pb (II), especially Cu (II) or Zn (II), or a divalent oxometal selected from the group V (O), Mn (O) and TiO, m1 is a value from 1 to 4, especially from 1 to 3, and n1 is a value from 1 to 4, especially from 1 to 3, the sum of m1 and n1 preferably being from 3 to 5; (IIIb), wherein Ar1 is a group of formula m1 is a value from 1 to 3, especially from 1 to 2, and n1 is a value from 1 to 3, especially from 1 to 2, the sum of m1 and n1 preferably being from 1 to 4; wherein X5 is a hydrogen or chlorine atom, m1 is a value from 1 to 4, especially from 1 to 3, and n1 is a value from 1 to 4, especially from 1 to 3, the sum of m1 and n1 preferably being from 3 to 5; or wherein X11 and X12 are each independently of the others hydrogen, a chlorine atom or a methyl group, m1 is a value from 1 to 4, especially from 1 to 3, and n1 is a value from 1 to 4, especially from 1 to 3, the sum of m1 and n1 preferably being from 2 to 4; B is a hydrogen atom,- (CH2) e-E or wherein e is an integer from 1 to 6, especially 2 or 3, E is a hydrogen atom or a group-OH,-Ocat,-SH,-Scat,-OR1,-SR2,-NR5R5 or-C (O) OR, and X, Y and Z are each independently of the others selected from a hydrogen atom and the groups - OH,-Ocat,-SH,-Scat,-OR',-SR2,-NR5R6 and-C (O) OR3 wherein R', R2 and R3 are each independently of the others a C1galkyl radical, especially methyl or ethyl, and R5 and R6 are a -(CH2)oOH radical wherein o is an integer from 2 to 6, X'is a hydrogen atom or cat and X2 is a hydrogen atom or cat, cat is an alkali metal cation, especially a sodium or potassium cation, calcium or unsubstituted ammonium, or an ammonium cation described hereinabove as preferred.

The compounds listed below are especially preferred: Compound B M m1 n1 x cat F1 4-hydroxyphenyl Cu 3 1 3 HOCH2CH2NH3+ F2 4-hydroxyphenyl Cu 3 1 3 Na+ F3 4-hydroxyphenyl Cu 3 1 5 Na+ F4 4-hydroxyphenyl Cu 2 2 2 HOCH2CH2NH3+ F5 4-hydroxyphenyl Cu 2 2 2 Na+ F6 4-hydroxyphenyl Cu 2 2 4 Na+ F7 4-hydroxyphenyl Cu 1 3 1 HOCH2CH2NH3+ F8 4-hydroxyphenyl Cu 1 3 2 Na+ F9 4-hydroxyphenyl Cu 1 3 4 Na+ F10 3-hydroxyphenol Cu 3 1 3 HOCH2CH2NH3+ F11 3-hydroxyphenol Cu 3 1 2 Na+ F12 3-hydroxyphenol Cu 3 1 3 Na+ F13 3-hydroxypropyl Cu 3 1 F14 3-hydroxypropyl Cu 2 2 - F15 3-hydroxypropyl Cu 1 3 - F16 3-hydroxyphenol Zn 1 3 4 Na+ F17 3-hydroxyphenol Zn 1 3 7 Na+ F18 3-hydroxyphenol Zn 2 2 4 Na+ F19 3-hydroxyphenol Zn 2 2 6 Na+ F20 3-hydroxyphenol Zn 2 2 6 HOCH2CH2NH3+ F21 3-hydroxyethyl Zn 3 1 - F22 3-hydroxyethyl Zn 2 2 - F23 3-hydroxyethyl Zn 1 3 F24 3-hydroxyphenol Cu 1 3 4 Na+ F25 3-hydroxyphenol Cu 1 3 7 Na+ F26 3-hydroxyphenol Cu 2 2 7 Na+ F27 3-hydroxyethyl Cu 3 1 - F28 3-hydroxyethyl Cu 2 2 - F29 3-hydroxyethyl Cu 1 3 The oxide layers to be coloured are especially oxide layers synthetically produced on aluminium or on aluminium alloys.

There come into consideration as aluminium alloys mainly those in which the the proportion of aluminium is predominant, especially alloys with magnesium, silicon, zinc and/or copper, for example Al/Mg, Al/Si, Al/Mg/Si, AI/Zn/Mg, Al/Cu/Mg and AI/Zn/Mg/Cu, more especially those in which the content of aluminium is at least 90 % by weight; the magnesium content is preferably < 6 % by weight; the silicon content is preferably < 6 % by weight; the zinc content is preferably < 10 % by weight and the copper content is advantageously < 2 % by weight, preferably < 0.2 % by weight.

The oxide layers formed on the metallic aluminium or on the aluminium alloys may have been produced by chemical oxidation or, preferably, by galvanic means by anodic oxidation. The anodic oxidation of the aluminium or aluminium alloy for passivation and the formation of a porous layer can be carried out according to known methods using direct current and/or alternating current and in each case using suitable electrolyte baths, for example with the addition of sulfuric acid, oxalic acid, chromic acid, citric acid or combinations of oxalic acid and chromic acid or sulfuric acid and oxalic acid. Such anodisation procedures are known in the art: DCS procedure (direct current, sulfuric acid), DCSX procedure (direct current; sulfuric acid with the addition of oxalic acid), DCX procedure (direct current; oxalic acid), DCX procedure with the addition of chromic acid, ACX procedure (alternating current; oxalic acid), ACX-DCX procedure (oxalic acid; first alternating current then direct current), ACS procedure (alternating current; sulfuric acid) and chromic acid procedure (direct current; chromic acid). The current voltages are generally in the range from 5 to 80 volts, preferably from 8 to 50 volts ; the temperatures are generally in the range from 5 to 50°C ; the current density at the anode is generally in the range from 0.3 to 5 A/dm2, preferably from 0.5 to 4 A/dm2, current densities as low as 5 2 A/dm2 generally being suitable for the production of a porous oxide layer ; at higher voltages and current densities, for example in the range from 100 to 150 volts and zu 2 A/dm2, especially 2 to 3 A/dm2, and at temperatures up to 80°C, oxide layers that are especially hard and fine-pored can be produced, for example according to the"Ematal"process with oxalic acid in the presence of titanium and zirconium salts. For the production of oxide layers that are subsequently coloured electrolytically or directly, using a dye of formula (I), by adsorptive means, the current voltage according to a preferred procedure customary per se in practice is in the range from 12 to 20 volts ; the current density in that procedure is preferably from 1 to 2 A/dm2. Such anodisation procedures are generally known in the art and described in detail in the specialised literature, e. g. in Ullmann's"Enzyklopadie der Technischen Chemie", 4th edition, volume 12, pages 196 to 198, or in the Sandoz brochures"Sanodal (D" (Sandoz AG, Basle, Switzerland, Publication No. 9083.00. 89) or"Ratgeber fur das Adsorptive Farben von Anodisiertem Aluminium" (Sandoz, Publications No. 9122. 00.80). The thickness of the porous oxide layer is advantageously in the range from 5 to 35 um, especially from 15 to 30 Am, more especially from 15 to 25 um. To colour the oxide layer using the dyes of formula 1, it is possible to use dyeing methods that are customary per se, especially adsorption methods (essentially without electric current), in which the dye solution is applied to the oxide surface, for example, by spraying or by application with a roller (depending on the shape of the substrate) or, preferably, by immersion in a dye bath of the article to be coloured.

The dyeing is expediently carried out at temperatures below the boiling point of the liquor, advantageously at temperatures in the range from 15 to 80°C, especially in the range from 15 to 70°C, more especially in the range from 20 to 60°C. The pH value of the dye liquor is in the acidic to weakly basic range, generally in the pH range from 3 to 8, with preference being given to weakly acidic to almost neutral conditions, especially a pH range from 4 to 6. The concentration of dye and the duration of the dyeing procedure may vary very widely depending on the subtrate and the desired coloration effect. Suitable dye concentrations are in the range from 0.01 to 20 g/I, advantageously from 0.1 to 10 g/l, especially from 0.2 to 2 g/l. The duration of the dyeing procedure is generally in the range from 30 seconds to 1 hour and is preferably from 5 to 40 minutes.

The dyeings obtained in that manner can be hot-sealed and/or cold-sealed according to customary methods, where appropriate with the use of suitable additives, the dyeings advantageously being rinsed with water before sealing.

For example, sealing can be carried out in one or two steps at pH values of from 4.5 to 8 using metal salts or metal oxides (e. g. nickel acetate or cobalt acetate) or using chromates. Sealing can also, as described DE-A-3 327 191, be carried out using organic sealing agents, such as, for example, organic phosphonates and diphosphonates or also water-soluble (cyclo) aliphatic polycarboxylic acids or aromatic ortho-hydroxycarboxylic acids at pH values in the range from 4. 5 to 8.

There may be used for the cold-sealing especially nickel salts or cobalt salts in combination with alkali metal fluorides, such as NaF. According to the invention, cold-sealing can, for example, be carried out using a sealing agent containing nickel ions Ni2+ and fluoride ions F, as described in EP-A-1 087 038. Sealing auxiliaries determined, for example, by the subtrate and/or dye, for example cobalt compounds, may optionally be present in small amounts of up to 10 % by weight in the sealing agents. The sealing agents may be used with further auxiliaries, such as (anionic) surfactants, especially sulfo-group-containing surfactants, preferably condensation products of sulfo-group-containing aromatic compounds with formaldehyde, for example condensation products of sulfonate naphthalene or/and sulfonate phenols with formaldehyde to form oligomeric condensation products having a surfactant nature, and/or anti-deposit additives (see, for example, DE-A-3 900 169 or DE-C-3 327 191), which comprise, for example, salts of organic acids and non-ionic surfactants, for example P3-almeco seat@ 1 (Henkel). The cold-sealing is generally carried out at temperatures below 45°C, especially in the range from 18 to 40°C, more especially from 20 to 40°C. The Ni2+ concentration in the sealing bath is advantageously in the range from 0.05 to 10 g/l, especially in the range from 0.1 to 5 g/l. The pH value of the sealing bath is, for example, in the acidic to weakly basic range, advantageously in the pH range from 4.5 to 8. The duration of the sealing procedure depends on the thickness of the layer and is, for example, from 0.4 to 2 minutes, preferably from 0.6 to 1.2 minutes, per jim of thickness of the oxide layer of the substrate, sealing advantageously being carried out for from 5 to 60 minutes, preferably from 10 to 30 minutes. Sealing times of from 10 to 30 minutes are suitable for the preferred oxide layers having a thickness of at least 15 jim, preferably from 15 to 30 um, that are suitable especially for external architectural components.

The hot-treatment with water is advantageously carried out in a temperature range from 80°C to boiling temperature, preferably at from 90 to 100°C or alternatively with steam at temperatures from 95 to 150°C optionally under pressure, for example at an elevated pressure in the range from 1 to 4 bar. The duration of the after-sealing with water is generally in the range from 15 to 60 minutes.

It may be advantageous to carry out a two-step sealing procedure in which, in a first step, cold- sealing is effected in deionised water using at least one sealing agent, such as nickel acetate, optionally in the presence of an anti-deposit (anti-smut) agent, such as P3-almecoseal (D 1 (Henkel) and, in a second step, hot after-sealing is effected in deionised water optionally in the presence of an anti-deposit agent, such as P3-almecoseal0 1 (Henkel). It has been demonstrated that very good results can be obtained especially when aluminium and calcium salts, such as AICI3-6H201 aluminium acetate or calcium chloride, are used as a substitute for the toxic nickel salts. Samples sealed with such salts in addition exhibit a lower tendency to release the dye from the pores.

The present invention accordingly relates also to a process for producing coloured oxide layers on aluminium or on aluminium alloys by dyeing in an aqueous dye bath, rinsing with water and sealing, which process comprises carrying out the cold-and/or hot-sealing in the presence of aluminium salts, especially AICI3@6 H20 or aluminium acetate, or calcium salts, especially CaCl2.

There is especially used a two-step sealing procedure in which, in a first step, cold-sealing is carried out in deionised water at about 40°C for from 5 to 60 minutes, preferably from 10 to 30 minutes, using from 0.1 to 5 g/l, especially from 1.5 to 2.5 g/I, of nickel acetate in the presence of from 1 to 3 g/t of an anti-deposit agent, such as P3-almecosealO 1 (Henkel) and, in a second step, hot after-sealing is carried out in boiling deionised water for from 15 to 60 minutes, especially from 30 to 45 minutes.

The treatment of the aluminium substrates with a strong inorganic or organic acid, such as nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, haloacetic acids or p-toluenesulfonic acids, after dyeing and before sealing, may result in an increase in the light fastness of the coloured aluminium substrates.

Compared with commercially available dyes and dyes of formula I in which cat+ is an alkali metal, the dyeings obtainable according to the process of the invention have surprisingly high light-fastness properties, it being possible for the AE of the dyeings after 240 hours'irradiation, especially after 480 hours'irradiation, to be less than 6.

In particular, the compounds of formula 11 wherein M is Cu2+ and compounds of formula III exhibit excellent light-fastness properties, AE after 240 hours being less than 3 and after 480 hours less than 5.

A further embodiment of the present invention relates to coloured aluminium pigments that comprise platelet-like aluminium substrates coated with a metal oxide layer, wherein the metal oxide layer comprises dyes of formula I and the metals of the metal layer are selected from vanadium, titanium, zirconium, silicon, aluminium and boron.

Further layers that can be produced according to customary chemical processes or by vapour deposition may be present in addition to the metal oxide layer. Customary materials for further layers include, for example, metals, such as Ag, Al, Au, Cu, Co, Cr, Fe, Ge, Mo, Nb, Ni, Si, Ti, V, alloys thereof, inorganic or organic pigments or colourants, graphite and graphite-like compounds, which are disclosed, for example, in EP 0 982 376. The further layers may furthermore be composed of metal oxides, such as MoS2, TiO2, ZrO2, SiO, Si02, SnO2, GeO2, ZnO, AI203) V2Os, Fe203, Cr203, PbTi03or CuO and mixtures thereof, or the further layers may alternatively consist of known dielectric materials of which the specific electrical resistance according to the conventional definition is at least 10'° 0-cm.

The ratio of thickness to diameter of the platelets is quoted as a physical parameter and is generally from 1: 50 to 1: 500. The particles are generally from 2 um to 5 mm long, preferably from 5 Rm to 50 um long, from 2 Rm to 2 mm wide, preferably from 5, um to 20 um wide, and from 50 nm to 3.0 lim thick, preferably from 1, um to 20 ym thick. Depending on the production process, they have a more or less statistical particle size distribution having a d5o of from 5 to 50 um.

The amount of dye is generally from 5 to 40 % by weight and the amount of metal oxide from 3 to 95 % by weight, each based on the aluminium substrate.

The aluminium pigments are obtainable analogously to a process described in DE-A-195 01 307 by producing the metal oxide layer by means of a sol-gel process by controlled hydroysis of one or more metallic acid esters in the presence of one or more of the dyes according to the invention and, optionally, an organic solvent and, optionally, a basic catalyst.

Suitable basic catalysts are, for example, amines, such as triethylamine, ethylenediamine, tributylamine, dimethylethanolamine or methoxypropylamine.

Suitable aluminium pigments include any customary aluminium pigments that can be used for decorative coatings and also the oxidised coloured aluminium pigments described in DE-A-195 20 312. Preference is given to the use of round aluminium platelets (so-called silver dollars).

The organic solvent is a water-miscible organic solvent, such as a C1 4alcohol, especially isopropanol.

Suitable metallic acid esters are from the group comprising alkyl and aryl alcoholates, carboxylates, and alkyl alcoholates or carboxylates that have been substituted by carboxy radicals or alkyl radicals or aryl radicals, of vanadium, titanium, zirconium, silicon, aluminium and boron. Preference is given to the use of triisopropyl aluminate, tetraisopropyl titanate, tetraisopropyl zirconate, tetraethyl orthosilicate and triethyl borate. It is also possible to use acetylacetonates and acetoacetylacetonates of the above-mentioned metals. Preferred examples of that type of metallic acid ester are zirconium, aluminium or titanium acetyl- acetonate and diisobutyloleyl acetoacetylaluminate or diisopropyloleyl acetoacetylacetonate and mixtures of metallic acid esters, for example DynasilS) (Hüls), a mixed aluminium/silicon metallic acid ester.

The aluminium pigment can furthermore be prepared analogously to a process described in EP-A-0 380 073. A layer of an anodically oxidisable metal having a thickness corresponding to at least 500 nm is applied to a carrier that has optionally been coated with a separating agent, and is anodically oxidised in an electrolyte at a voltage of from 0.5 to 100 V. The porous metal oxide layer is then coloured using the dyes according to the invention and sealed. The separating agent is subsequently dissolved in a suitable solvent, the aluminium pigment being obtained in the form of coarse flakes, which can be further processed by removal of the solvent, drying and grinding (see, for example, WO 00/18978, WO 01/25500 and WO 01/57287).

The carrier coated with an anodically oxidisable metal is obtainable according to processes known per se. Advantageously, carriers to which a thin metal layer has been applied by sputtering or by chemical methods or vapour-deposited by means of vacuum technology are used. The layer thickness of the metal is advantageously so selected that the metal layer remaining after anodic oxidation is covered with a metal oxide layer at least 10 nm thick, preferably at least 100 nm thick. The layer thickness of the metal is generally from 500 nm to 5 cm, preferably from 1 um to 2 um.

Suitable electrolytes are known and are described e. g. in J. Electrochem. Soc.: Electrochemical Science and Technology, 122,1, page 32 (1975). Dilute aqueous solutions (e. g. up to 20 % by weight) of inorganic acids or carboxylic acids (sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, chromic acid, formic acid, oxalic acid), of alkali metal salts of inorganic acids or carboxylic acids (sodium sulfate, sodium bisulfate, sodium formate) and alkali metal hydroxides (KOH, NaOH), for example, are suitable.

The anodic oxidation can be carried out at a temperature of from 0 to 60°C and preferably at room temperature. The voltage to be selected depends largely on the electrolyte used and is generally from 0.5 to 100 V. Electrolysis can be carried out with alternating current and preferably with direct current.

The carrier has a surface of metal, glass, enamel, ceramics or an organic material and may be of any shape, sheets, films and plates being preferred. The carrier may be, for example, glass, a mineral (quartz, sapphire, ruby, beryllium or silicate), a ceramic material, silicon or a plastics (cellulose, polymethacrylate, polycarbonate, polyester, polyolefin, polystyrene).

The separating agents may be inorganic separating agents, such as separating agents vaporisable in vacuo, for example chlorides, borates, fluorides and hydroxides and further inorganic substances, which are described, for example, in US-A-5 156 720 and US-A-3 123 489, or organic separating agents, such as lacquers, sodium stearate, lithium stearate, magnesium stearate, aluminium stearate, fatty alcohols and wax alcohols of the type CXHyO wherein 15 < C < 30, paraffin waxes, branched and unbranched fatty acids wherein C > 15 and thermoplastics.

The metal layer is formed from aluminium itself or from an alloy of aluminium with, e. g. , Mg or Zn. A preferred lower value for the layer thickness is 500 nm. The upper value for the layer thickness is a maximum of 5. 0 um. The thickness is especially from 0.5 to 3. 0 um and more especially from 1.0 to 2. 0 um.

The thickness of the oxide layer depends largely on the starting thickness of the metal layer.

The oxide layer may be, for example, from 10 nm to 500 nm thick. Layer thickness ranges from 100 nm to 500 nm are preferred.

The diameter of the pores in the metal oxide layer depends largely on the production conditions for the electrolysis, especially on the electrolyte used. The diameter may be, for example, from 2 nm to 500 nm.

The aluminium pigments according to the invention can be used to give effects in surface coatings, coatings, plastics, printing inks and cosmetic preparations.

The following Examples illustrate the present invention but do not represent a limitation of the scope of the present invention. In the Examples, unless indicated otherwise, parts are parts by weight and percentages are percentages by weight.

The light fastness is ascertained by dry exposure of a sample in light exposure cycles in an Atlas-Weather-O-meter Ci 65 A equipped with a xenon arc lamp. For the comparison, the colour shade, the tinctorial strength and the brightness of the exposed samples are measured using a spectrophotometer from X-ride model SP 68 (10° standard observer; standard illuminant Des ; colour temperature: 6774 K). The resulting colour difference hE in the L*a*b*- colour space (CIELAB colour system) is listed in the Tables hereinbelow.

Synthesis Example 1 60.0 g of 4,4'-diamino-1, 1'-bisanthraquinone-3,3'-sodium sulfonate (V-1) in 300.0 g of hydrochloric acid (technical grade/32 %) are introduced into a sulfonating flask (750 ml). The red suspension is heated to from 65 to 70°C. After 3 hours at 65°C, the red suspension is allowed to cool to room temperature and, in the course of 15 minutes, added to a mixture of 120.0 g of water and 1400.0 g of ice. The resulting violet suspension is filtered through a suction filter and washed with 120.0 g of ice-water. The moist violet filter cake is added in portions to a solution of 11.3 g of ethanolamine in 1800 g of water. The resulting mixture is heated at 100°C for 1 hour and then filtered at 50°C through a suction filter and washed with 200.0 g of water. After concentration by evaporation of the dark-red solution and drying, 65 g (97 % yield) of A-1 are obtained in the form of a dark-red powder.

Synthesis Exampies 2 and 3 The compounds A-2 and A-3 are prepared from V-1 analogously to Synthesis Example 1. Compound cat+ Synthesis Example A-1 HOCH2CH2NH3+ 1 A-2 (HOCH2CH2) 2NH2+ A-3 (HOCH2CH2) 3NH+ 3 V-1 Na+ Application Example 1 A degreased and deoxidised sheet of pure aluminium is anodically oxidised for from 30 to 40 minutes at a voltage of from 15 to 16 volts, using a direct current having a density of 1.5 A/dm, at a temperature of from 18 to 20°C, in an aqueous solution containing, per 100 parts, 18-22 parts of sulfuric acid and 1.2-7. 5 parts of aluminium sulfate. An oxide layer approximately 18-20 lim thick having a porosity of 17 % is formed. After rinsing with water, the anodised aluminium sheet is dyed for 40 minutes at 60°C in a solution consisting of 0.5 part of the dye of formula I per 100 parts of deionised water, the pH of which has been adjusted to 5.5 using acetic acid and sodium acetate.

The Alox layer is then sealed for 20 minutes at 40°C in a solution of 2 g/l of nickel acetate and 2 g/l of P3-Almeco Seal@ (Henkel) in deionised water and subsequently after-sealed for 40 minutes in boiling deionised water. The samples are then exposed to light in an Atlas- Weather-O-meter Ci 65 A. The following Table 1 shows a comparison of the light-fastness properties of aluminium sheets coloured using the compounds A-1, A-2 and A-3 according to the invention and using the comparison compounds V-1 and V-2.

Table 1 Compound 25 h 120 h 240 h 360 h 480 h 600 h V-2 8 40 V-1 2.7 5.9 7.8 9.9 11.2 11. 8 A-1 0. 6 1. 8 2. 9 3. 5 3. 6 4. 3 A-2 0. 4 1. 2 1. 8 2. 3 2. 5 3. 1 A-3 0. 3 1 1. 8 2. 1 2. 2 2. 7 Synthesis Examples 4 to 10 Compounds B-1 to B-3 and C-1 to C-4 are prepared analogously to Synthesis Example 1. Compound M cat+ Synthesis Example B-1 Zn2+ HOCH2CH2NH3+ 4 B-2 Zn2+ NH4+ 5 B-3 Zn2+ (CH3)3NH+ 6 V-3 Zn2+ Na+ - C-1 Cu2+ HOCH2CH2NH3+ 7 C-2 Cu2+ NH4+ C-3 Cu2+ (CH3)3NH+ 9 C Cu + (CH3) 2 ( (CH30) 2CHC 10 H2) NH+ V-4 Cu Na+ The following Table 2 shows a comparison of the light-fastness properties of aluminium sheets coloured using the compounds B-1, B-2 and B-3 according to the invention and using the comparison compound V-3.

Table 2 Compound 50 h 240 h 480 h 720 h V-3 6.1 12 15.2 B-1 3. 5 5. 9 7. 5 8. 8 B-2 3. 5 5. 6 7 8 B-3 4.4 8 10.2 11.9 The following Table 3 shows a comparison of the light-fastness properties of aluminium sheets coloured using the compounds C-1, C-2, C-3 and C-4 according to the invention and using the comparison compound V-4.

Table 3 Compound 50 h 240 h 480 h 720 h V-4 1.3 2.9 5 6.2 C-1 1. 4 2. 7 4. 5 5. 7 C-2 1. 3 2. 1 3. 7 4. 4 C-3 1. 2 2. 2 3. 8 4. 6 C-4 0. 6 2 3. 6 4. 4 Synthesis Example 11 Compound D-1 is prepared analogously to Synthesis Example 1. Compound cat+ Synthesis Example D-1 HOCH2CH2NH3+ 11 V-5 Na+- The following Table 4 shows a comparison of the light-fastness properties of aluminium sheets coloured using the compound D-1 according to the invention and using the comparison compounds V-5 and V-6.

Table 4 Compound 25 h 120 h 240 h V-6 4. 3 40. 6 V-5 2. 1 6. 3 8. 1 D-1 1.2 4 4.8 Synthesis Examples 12 to 14 Compounds E-1 to E-3 are prepared analogously to Synthesis Example 1. Compound cat+ Synthesis Example E-1 HOCH2CH2NH3+ 12 E-2 NH4+ 13 E-3 Primene 81R# -salt1) 14 V-8 Na+ The following is a notional representation of the ammonium salt of Primene 81R# (Rohm & Haas Company, mixture of isomeric C12 14amines) : The following Table 5 shows a comparison of the ltght-tastnes properties ot aluminium sneets coloured using the compounds E-1, E-2 and E-3 according to the invention and using the comparison compounds V-7 and V-8.

Table 5 Compound 50 h 240 h V-7 20. 5 V-8 3. 5 13. 2 E-1 3. 4 17. 2 E-2 10. 8 26. 3 E-3 3. 1 8. 5 Synthesis Example 15 78.0 g of chlorosulfonic acid are introduced into a 750 ml sulfonating flask and, in the course of 15 minutes, 15.0 g of copper phthalocyanine are added in portions. Stirring is then carried out for 3 hours at 125°C. After cooling the reaction solution to 80°C, 32.8 g of thionyl chloride are added dropwise in the course of 20 minutes and the reaction solution is stirred for 3 hours at that temperature. The green solution (acid chloride) is cooled to room temperature and, with vigorous stirring, added in the course of 10 minutes to a mixture of 660.0 g of ice and 86.0 g of water. The reaction solution is filtered and washed with 300.0 g of ice-water, a blue, water- moist product being obtained. The water-moist product is introduced in portions at 0°C into a solution of 2.9 g of 3-aminophenol in 10.0 g of water and 12.9 g of methanol and the resulting solution is stirred for 1 hour. After heating to room temperature, the pH value is adjusted to 7.5 using sodium hydroxide solution (32 %) and the solution is refiuxed at 100°C for 3 hours while controlling the pH, a total of 17.4 g of 32 % sodium hydroxide solution being added. At 45°C, 1.9 g of hydrochloric acid (32 %) are subsequently added dropwise, and the reaction solution is filtered after cooling and washed with 40.0 g of water. After drying, 25.4 g of a blue powder are obtained (yield : 99 %), which is reacted with 3 equivalents of ethanolammonium hydroxide, 2 equivalents of sodium hydroxide and 3 equivalents of sodium hydroxide to yield the compounds F10, F11 and F12, respectively.

The compounds F1 to F9 and F13 to F29 listed in the following are prepared analogously to Synthesis Example 15: Compound b M m1 n1 x cat F1 4-hydroxyphenyl Cu 3 1 3 HOCH2CH2NH3+ F2 4-hydroxyphenyl Cu 3 1 3 Na+ F3 4-hydroxyphenyl Cu 3 1 5 Na+ F4 4-hydroxyphenyl Cu 2 2 2 HOCH2CH2NH3+ F5 4-hydroxyphenyl Cu 2 2 2 Na+ F6 4-hydroxyphenyl Cu 2 2 4 Na+ F7 4-hydroxyphenyl Cu 1 3 1 HOCH2CH2NH3+ F8 4-hydroxyphenyl Cu 1 3 2 Na+ F9 4-hydroxyphenyl Cu 1 3 4 Na+ F10 3-hydroxyphenol Cu 3 1 3 HOCH2CH2NH3+ F11 3-hydroxyphenol Cu 3 1 2 Na+ F12 3-hydroxyphenol Cu 3 1 3 Na+ F13 3-hydroxypropyl Cu 3 1 - F14 3-hydroxypropyl Cu 2 2 - F15 3-hydroxypropyl Cu 1 3 - F16 3-hydroxyphenol Zn 1 3 4 Na+ F17 3-hydroxyphenol Zn 1 3 7 Na+ F18 3-hydroxyphenol Zn 2 2 4 Na+ F19 3-hydroxyphenol Zn 2 2 6 Na+ F20 3-hydroxyphenol Zn 2 2 6 HOCH2CH2NH3+ F21 3-hydroxyethyl Zn 3 1 - F22 3-hydroxyethyl Zn 2 2 - F23 3-hydroxyethyl Zn 1 3 - F24 3-hydroxyphenol Cu 1 3 4 Na+ F25 3-hydroxyphenol Cu 1 3 7 Na+ F26 3-hydroxpyhenol Cu 2 2 7 Na+ F27 3-hydroxyethyl Cu 3 1 F28 3-hydroxyethyl Cu 2 2 - F29 3-hydroxyethyl Cu 1 3 - Synthesis Examples 45 and 46: The disulfonic acid salts G1 and G2 are obtained from the disulfonic acid compounds G1'and G2', respectively, by reaction with soluble calcium salts, such as calcium nitrate or calcium chloride. Compound cat R21 G-1'2 H+ H G-1 Ca+ H G-2' 2 H+ CH3 G-2 Ca2+ CH3 The following Table 6 shows the light-fastness properties after 240 hours, 480 hours and 800 hours of aluminium sheets coloured according to Application Example 1 using the compounds G-1 and G-2 according to the invention.

Table 6 Compound 240 h 480 h 600 h 800 h 1000 h G-1 2. 2 5. 3 7. 2 11. 2 15. 8 G-2 2. 7 7. 1 13. 9 Application Example 2 A degreased and deoxidised sheet of pure aluminium is anodically oxidised for from 30 to 40 minutes at a voltage of from 15 to 16 volts, using a direct current having a density of 1. 5A/dm2, at a temperature of from 18 to 20°C, in an aqueous solution containing, per 100 parts, 18-22 parts of sulfuric acid and 1.2-7. 5 parts of aluminium sulfate. An oxide layer approximately 18-20, um thick having a porosity of 17 % is formed. After rinsing with water, the anodised aluminium sheets are dyed for 15 minutes at 50°C using 0.5 % dye mixtures (see Table 7), each of which is prepared with 0.05 % Invadin LUN in water and buffered to pH 6 using ammonium acetate. The aluminium sheets are optionally immersed for 10 minutes at room temperature in 20 % HN03 prior to the actual sealing (see Table 7). Sealing is then carried out first of all for 20 minutes using a solution of 2.6 g/l of P3 Almeco Seal@ and 2 g/l of nickel acetate at 40°C, and then for 20 minutes using a solution of 2.6 g/i of P3 Almeco Seat@ at 98°C. The colour shade of the coloured aluminium sheets and the A E after 2000 hours are indicated in Table 7.

Table 7 Dye mixture Treatment with HN03 Colour shade AE after 2000 h 50% A1/50% C1 no blueish grey 9. 0 50% A1/50% C1 yes dark blueish grey 1.1 50% C1/50% D1 no green 15. 1 50% A1/50% D1 no orange 23. 8 50% A1/50% D1 yes reddish orange 6. 6 33% A1/33% C1/33% D1 no dark greenish grey 9. 1 33% A1/33% C1/33% D1 yes dark brownish green 4. 5 Homogeneous dyeings are obtained. The aluminium sheets treated with HN03 prior to the actual sealing procedure exhibit better light-fastness properties.

Application Example 3 As in Application Example 2, aluminium sheets are coloured using a 0.5 % dye mixture of compound D1 except that, instead of nickel acetate, the salts indicated in Table 8 are used and, where indicated, the dyeing time is 30 minutes instead of 15 minutes.

Table 8 Salt AE, 360 h Dyeing time [minutes] nickel acetate 27.1 15 AlCl3#6H20 12.9 15 CaCl2 19. 2 15 nickel acetate 25. 0 30 AlCl3#6H20 11.6 30 CaCl2 16. 9 30 The results listed in Table 8 show that, especially when aluminium salts are used as a substitute for the toxic nickel compounds, very good results can be obtained. Samples sealed in the presence of aluminium and calcium salts in addition exhibit a lower tendency to release the dye from the layers.

Synthesis Example 47 19.97 g (0.05 mol) of 4-amino-azobenzene-3, 4'-disulfonic acid (Aldrich) are dissolved at 50°C in 300 ml of deionised water. The solution is cooled to 5°C and then 6 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid and subsequently 12.5 ml (0.05 mol) of sodium nitrite solution (4M) are added. The mixture is stirred for 30 minutes at 5°C. Aminosulfonic acid is then added until a test with iodized starch paper is negative. The pH value is then adjusted to 5.5 using sodium hydrogen carbonate and subsequently a solution prepared from 6.38 g (0.05 mol) of 1,3, 5- triamino-2,4-pyrimidine (Fluka) in 200 ml of deionised water at pH 5.5 is added in the course of 30 minutes. After 1 hour, the mixture is slowly heated to 30°C until, after a further hour, no more diazonium salt can be detected. The red suspension is filtered off with suction and dried overnight at 60°C under 100 hPa. 25.7 g (96 %) of orangeish-red product H1 are obtained.