Abstract Nineteen substituted 2-phenylbenz-X-azoles, which are intermediates for the synthesis of dyes, were prepared from p-aminosalicylic acid (PAS). Substituents in the phenyl ring are 2′-hydroxy and/or 4′-amino and 4′-alkylamido with alkyl chains ranging from C 1 to C 15. The preferred route of the synthesis is discussed. The melting points and the R f values are correlated with the structure. An extensive discussion of the electronic ...