Abstract

The article is intended for anyone interested in organic pigments in general or specific pigment classes in particular, with references provided for greater in-depth review of scientific and theoretical considerations. This article begins with definition, identification, and categorization of organic pigments, followed by a list of 54 commercial pigments, including methods of their preparation. Also described is the origin of color in organic compounds and the relationship between absorbed light and observed color. Technical and durability properties are described in some detail, followed by a description of pigment types, including structural formulas of representative pigments, generalized wherever appropriate. For some pigment classes tables are included to identify additional important pigments of a group. In each case, a short description of pigment attributes and shortcomings as well as applications are included. The pigment types range from the least expensive, simple pigments, to the most sophisticated, complex structures, ranging in properties from poor to excellent. The description of production and economic aspects are based on governmental statistical data and other information available in the literature, private sources and the Internet, and includes worldwide data with particular emphasis on U.S. consumption, exports, and imports. Finally, methods of pigment testing, standardization, and color measurement are briefly described. The article concludes with a brief discussion of health effects, toxicity of pigments, their effect on the ecology, and uses.