Dye intermediates are an extremely important branch of the fine chemical industry, and the rapid development of the dye industry relies on the development of intermediates that complement it. The production of dyeing and pigment intermediates in China has made significant progress since the 1950s. With the increasingly fierce market competition, there have been innovations in the production technology of dyeing and pigment intermediates; Breakthroughs have been made in developing new varieties, improving production processes, researching new methods, developing new uses for old varieties, and protecting the environment. Clean processes have been adopted for intermediate production of dyes and pigments.
In fact, the development of intermediate applications is multifaceted. A certain intermediate used in dyes is called a dye intermediate, while used in pesticides and pharmaceuticals is also called a pesticide or pharmaceutical intermediate. Intermediates should be considered as a whole branch of the fine chemical industry, and should not be rigidly divided into dye intermediates, pesticide intermediates, and pharmaceutical intermediates according to the industry. This will reduce the scope of use of some intermediates and affect their development.
The raw materials required for synthesizing intermediates are mainly obtained from the products of the petroleum and coking chemical industries, with the vast majority being benzene, naphthalene, anthraquinone compounds, as well as some heterocyclic compounds. In recent years, the use of heterocyclic compound intermediates to prepare organic pigments has been on the rise. In addition, the use of complex raw materials such as phenanthrene, pyridine, oxyfluorene, quinoline, indole, carbazole, and biphenyl series compounds in dye manufacturing will become more extensive and widespread.
