Heterocycles as Structural Units in New Optical Brighteners

Abstract

Abstract Optical brighteners are used in detergents, textiles, paper, plastics, and paints. Most optical brighteners contain heterocycles such as coumarins, 2‐pyrazolines, naphthalimides, pyrazoles, triazoles, oxadiazoles, and triazines. In this article the syntheses, properties, and applications of new optical brighteners are described with references to patent literature.