Cyanine compounds

Abstract

This invention relates to a cyanine compound represented by the formula (1) ##STR1## wherein X is a lower alkoxy, Y is a lower alkyl or a lower alkoxy, R 1 is a lower alkyl, or a lower alkyl substituted with at least one of C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, hydroxy, sulfo, carboxy, C 1 -C 4 alkyl amino, acetoxy, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy carbonyl, C 1 -C 4 sodium sulfonate, C 1 -C 4 sodium carboxylate, alkyl amino methyl, acetoxy methyl, and methoxyl carbonyl methyl, and Z - is an anion

We claim: 
     
       1. A cyanine compound represented by the formula ##STR10## wherein: X is a lower alkoxy, Y is a lower alkyl or a lower alkoxy, R 1  is a lower alkyl, or a lower alkyl substituted with at least one of C 1  -C 4  alkoxy, hydroxy, sulfo, carboxy, C 1  -C 4  alkyl amino, acetoxy, C 1  -C 4  alkoxy carbonyl, C 1  -C 4  sodium sulfonate, C 1  -C 4  sodium carboxylate, alkyl amino methyl, acetoxy methyl, and methoxyl carbonyl methyl, and Z -  is an anion. 
     
     
       2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein Z -  is halide or perchlorate. 
     
     
       3. A compound according to claim 2 wherein Y is lower alkoxy. 
     
     
       4. A compound according to claim 3 wherein Y is substituted at the 6- or the 7-position of the indolenine ring. 
     
     
       5. A compound according to claim 4 wherein R 1  is lower alkyl or lower alkoxy-lower alkyl.