Phenylpyrazolone colorant

1. A colorant of formula (2)

wherein M=Ca, Sr or a combination of Ca and Sr.

2. The process for preparing the colorant of claim 1 comprising the steps of azo coupling a diazonium salt of 2-amino-4-chloro-5-methylbenzene-1-sulfonic acid with 1-(4′-sulfophenyl)-4-methyl-5-pyrazolone and laking with a calcium salt, with a strontium salt or with a combination thereof.

3. The process as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the colorant is subjected to a heat treatment in an aqueous, aqueous-organic or organic medium at temperatures between 60° C. and 98° C.

4. The process as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the colorant is subjected to a mechanical operation to convert it into a fine state of subdivision.

5. A colored article or composition comprising a colorant as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the colored article or composition is printing inks, wallpaper colors, water-thinnable coatings, wood protection systems, viscose, coatings, sausage casings, seed, fertilizers, glass, roof tiles, color filters, electrophotographic toners, electrophotographic developers, renders, concrete, wood stains, colored pencil leads, felt tip pens, waxes, paraffins, graphics inks, pastes for ballpoint pens, crayons, washing compositions, cleaning compositions, shoe care products, latex products or abrasives.

6. A process for the production of a liquid printing ink for use in ink-jet printers comprising adding a colorant as claimed in claim 1 to the liquid printing ink during the manufacture of the liquid printing ink.

7. A liquid printing ink for use in ink jet printers made in accordance with the process of claim 6 .