DICHROIC DYES

CSS offers a catalogue of dichroic dyes with different properties for different optical applications. We also offer polymerisable molecules for crosslinking with reactive mesogens.

Can’t find what you need or not sure what you need? Perhaps you would like to try a dye that you have seen in the literature or you need help to design and synthesise new dyes specific for your application. No problem! Hit the button below to send us a general enquiry. Our experienced chemists are here to help you succeed with your developing technology.

Dichroic Dyes Explained

Dichroic Dyes are a special class of rod-shaped dye used in Liquid Crystal (LC) systems, that align with the liquid crystal molecules and only absorb light in one orientation. Dichroic Dyes in Liquid Crystals are often referred to as Guest-Host systems, the LC acting as the Host to the Guest dye.

When an electric field is applied, the LC and Dichroic Dye align in the same direction as the incident light, which is the dye’s non-absorbing direction. Therefore, the light passes though unchanged with no absorbance by the dye.

With no voltage applied, the LC and Dichroic Dyes dis-align, now allowing the dyes to absorb the incoming light. As the light passes through the system, part is absorbed by the dye, and coloured light exits.

Mixing of several colours of Dichroic Dyes to create a black dichroic dye leads to a total light reduction between the incoming and exiting light, giving a light-dimming effect. This effect is particularly useful for switchable, dimmable glass or polymer-film.

For further reading, we recommend Dr John Moore’s excellent open-access publication, from which the graphics above were reproduced (with permission Link). 

CSS’s Range of Dichroic Dyes

Black Dichroic Dyes 400 – 700 nm
UVA Dichroic Dyes 350 – 400 nm
Yellow Dichroic Dyes 400 – 450 nm
Orange Dichroic Dyes 450 – 500 nm
Red Dichroic Dyes 500 – 530 nm
Magenta Dichroic Dyes 530 – 550 nm
Purple Dichroic Dyes 550 – 590 nm
Blue Dichroic Dyes 590 – 700 nm
NIR Dichroic Dyes 700 – 1000 nm

  Black Dichroic Dyes

Dye Name: DDBLM1
Item Code: 101008
CAS Number: N/A
Dye Class: Anthraquinone
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 470, 522, 590, 637 nm / 400-670 / Benzonitrile
Colour: Neutral Black
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: DR = 8-10
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

Dye Name: DDBLM40
Item Code: 101012
CAS Number: N/A
Dye Class: Anthraquinone
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: Coverage from 400-750 / Benzonitrile
Colour: Neutral Black
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: DR = 8-10
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

Dye Name: DDBLM40
Item Code: 101012
CAS Number: N/A
Dye Class: Anthraquinone
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: Coverage from 400-750 / Benzonitrile
Colour: Neutral Black
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: DR = 8-10
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

Dye Name: DDBLM30
Item Code: 101007
CAS Number: N/A
Dye Class: Azo
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 452, 553 / 350-660 / Benzonitrile
Colour: Neutral Black
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: DR = 12 – 14
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

Dye Name: DDBLM20
Item Code: 101006
CAS Number: N/A
Dye Class: Azo
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 450, 586 / 350-720 / Benzonitrile
Colour: Neutral Black
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: DR = 10 – 14
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

  Blue Dichroic Dyes

Dye Name: DDB598
Item Code: 102003
CAS Number: 2107972-03-0 / 1162741-61-8
Dye Class: Azo
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 625 nm / 183 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Deep Blue
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: DR = 16 / ZLI-2903 / KR2009055492
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

Dye Name: DDB612
Item Code: 102008
CAS Number: 107705-68-0
Dye Class: Azo
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 637 nm / 177 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Deep Greenish Blue
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: DR = 10 / ZLI-1957 / JP62000555
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

Dye Name: DDB612
Item Code: 102008
CAS Number: 107705-68-0
Dye Class: Azo
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 637 nm / 177 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Deep Greenish Blue
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: DR = 10 / ZLI-1957 / JP62000555
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

Dye Name: DDV585
Item Code: 107006
CAS Number: N/A
Dye Class: Azo
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 620 nm / 178 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Deep Blue
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: No data 
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable
space

Dye Name: DDB624
Item Code: 102006
CAS Number: 88600-65-1
Dye Class: Anthraquinone
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 637 nm / 95 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Bright Blue
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: DR = 14 / cyanobiphenyl / US 4,689, 171
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

Dye Name: DDB627
Item Code: 102073
CAS Number: 76711-09-6
Dye Class: Anthraquinone
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 634 nm / 95 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Bright Blue
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: DR = 11 / cyanobiphenyl / US 4,304,683
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

Dye Name: DDC660
Item Code: 111002
CAS Number: 89369-91-5 / 121906-67-0
Dye Class: Anthraquinone
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 669 nm / 127 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Bright Cyan
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: DR = 10 / ZLI-1132 / US 4,507,221
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable
space

Dye Name: DDB625
Item Code: 102074
CAS Number: N/A
Dye Class: Squaraine
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 651 nm / 32 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Bright Cyan
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: DR = 6 / ZLI-2037
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

Dye Name: DDB640
Item Code: 102010
CAS Number: 1025312-98-4
Dye Class: Squaraine
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 652 nm / 29 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Bright Cyan
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: DR = 11 / ZLI-2037
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

Dye Name: DDB658
Item Code: 102011
CAS Number: 881877-80-1
Dye Class: Rylene
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 660 nm / 67 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Bright Cyan
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: DR = 15 / WO 2014/090367
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

 Magenta Dichroic Dyes

Dye Name: DDR536
Item Code: 106001
CAS Number: 1445948-42-4
Dye Class: Azo
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 547 nm / 151 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Magenta
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: DR = 14 /ZLI-2452 /KR2009055492
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

Dye Name: DDR535
Item Code: 106011
CAS Number: N/A
Dye Class: Azo
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 550 nm / 149 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Magenta
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: No data
Polymerisable group: Alkene

Dye Name: DDR535
Item Code: 106011
CAS Number: N/A
Dye Class: Azo
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 550 nm / 149 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Magenta
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: No data
Polymerisable group: Alkene

Dye Name: DDM572
Item Code: 106003
CAS Number: 83929-65-1
Dye Class: Anthraquinone
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 554 nm / 85 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Red-Magenta
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: DR = 13 / ZLI-1132 / GB 2,093,475
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

 Yellow Dichroic Dyes

Dye Name: DDY426
Item Code: 108003
CAS Number: 1445948-43-5
Dye Class: Azo
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 431 nm / 141 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Neutral Yellow
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: DR = 13 / ZLI-2452 / KR2009055492
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

Dye Name: DDY445
Item Code: 108007
CAS Number: 84674-65-7
Dye Class: Anthraquinone
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 454 nm / 81 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Neutral Yellow
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: DR = 12 / E43 / GB 2,093,475
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

Dye Name: DDY445
Item Code: 108007
CAS Number: 84674-65-7
Dye Class: Anthraquinone
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 454 nm / 81 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Neutral Yellow
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: DR = 12 
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

Dye Name: DDYF444
Item Code: 109005
CAS Number: 38215-36-0
Dye Class: Coumarin
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 467 nm / 63 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Fluorescent Greenish-Yellow
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: No data 
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

  Red Dichroic Dyes

Dye Name: DDR523
Item Code: 106015
CAS Number: N/A
Dye Class: Azo
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 521 nm / 109 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Red
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: DR = 11
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable
space

Dye Name: DDR504
Item Code: 106060
CAS Number: 2241216-27-1
Dye Class: Azo
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 514 nm / 128 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Red
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: DR = 13 / Licrystal BL006 / WO 2011/157614
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

Dye Name: DDR504
Item Code: 106060
CAS Number: 2241216-27-1
Dye Class: Azo
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 514 nm / 128 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Red
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: DR = 13 / Licrystal BL006 / WO 2011/157614
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

  Purple Dichroic Dyes

Dye Name: DDM560
Item Code: 107008
CAS Number: 94494-69-6 / 110065-57-1
Dye Class: Azo
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 566 nm / 136 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Purple-magenta
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: DR = 10 / E7 / US 4,668,050
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

Dye Name: DDV565
Item Code: 102035
CAS Number: N/A
Dye Class: Azo
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 565 nm / 140 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Purple
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: No Data
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

Dye Name: DDV565
Item Code: 102035
CAS Number: N/A
Dye Class: Azo
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 565 nm / 140 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Purple
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: No Data
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

 Orange Dichroic Dyes

Dye Name: DDO488
Item Code: 105006
CAS Number: 590401-75-5
Dye Class: Azo
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 488 nm / 107 nm / Toluene
Colour: Orange-Scarlet
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: No data
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

Dye Name: DDO480
Item Code: 105005
CAS Number: 10462-94-9
Dye Class: Azo
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 510 nm / 117 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Orange-Scarlet
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: NA
Polymerisable group: Acrylate

Dye Name: DDO480
Item Code: 105005
CAS Number: 10462-94-9
Dye Class: Azo
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 510 nm / 117 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Orange-Scarlet
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: NA
Polymerisable group: Acrylate

Dye Name: DDO521
Item Code: 105002
CAS Number: 82188-15-6
Dye Class: Anthraquinone
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 513 nm / 88 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Bright Orange
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: DR = 11 / E43/ GB 2,082,196
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

  UVA Dichroic Dyes

Dye Name: DDUV370
Item Code: 113001
CAS Number: N/A
Dye Class: Azo
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 367 nm / 53 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Colourless to very pale yellow
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: No data
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

Dye Name: DDUVF375
Item Code: 109004
CAS Number: 7128-64-5
Dye Class: Azo
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 379 nm / 56 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Colourless to pale yellow
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: No data
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

Dye Name: DDUVF375
Item Code: 113001
CAS Number: 7128-64-5
Dye Class: Azo
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 379 nm / 56 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Colourless to pale yellow
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: No data
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

 NIR Dichroic Dyes

Dye Name: DDIR855
Item Code: 110001
CAS Number: 74099-49-3
Dye Class: Nickel dithiolene
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 899 nm / 200 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Colourless to very pale green
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: DR = 7 / Merck E7 / K.L. Marshall
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

Dye Name: DDIR902
Item Code: 110003
CAS Number: N/A
Dye Class: Nickel dithiolene
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 906 nm / 197 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Colourless to very pale green
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: No data
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable

Dye Name: DDIR902
Item Code: 110003
CAS Number: N/A
Dye Class: Nickel dithiolene
Lambda max / FWHM / Solvent: 906 nm / 197 nm / Benzonitrile
Colour: Colourless to very pale green
Dichroic Ratio / LC / Reference: No data
Polymerisable group: Non-polymerisable