LAUSR

Herein, the prospect of using a silatranyl derivative of dye for dyeing purpose is discussed. Firstly, a silatranyl derivative of methyl red was synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and elemental analysis. Then, a comparative examination on the fixation of methyl red and its silatranyl derivative on cotton cloth was done after optimizing various parameters. Dye fixation studies, FT-IR, and scanning electron microscopic studies revealed better fixation of silatranyl dye derivative as compared to parent dye. Silanized methyl red was fixed on fiber via covalent interactions whereas methyl red exhibited physical sorption. Covalent fixation of dye on the cotton cloth prevented leaching of dye from cloth even after water and soap treatment for longer periods. Moreover, hydrolysis of silatranyl cage of silanized dye in excessive water (i.e. water fraction fw = 50% v/v in methanol–water mixture) to form dye incorporated silica offers an advantage for pretreatment of dye remains. Thus, the silatranyl derivative of methyl red has prospects as a dyeing agent in the future as it offers benefits to improve colour impression and treatment of dye effluent.Graphical abstract