The colorant can be dyes or pigments. Dyes are soluble chemicals that are often used on fabrics from solutions in water. They are designed to bond firmly to the polymer molecules that make up the textile fiber.

Pigments are non-abrasive chemicals used in paint, printing ink, ceramics, and plastics. They are used by distributing them in the right place. Many of the pigments are used also inorganic compounds.

Colorants are disclosed that exhibit high color strength, bright shades, and high thermal stability. Such compounds have found application as colorants for polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”). Potential end uses include disperse dyes, non-warping pigments, decolorize colorants, and the like. Compounds and methods for synthesis include benzodifuranone related compounds, benzene centered lactones, benzene centered lactams; benzene-centered thiolactones; naphthalene-centered lactones; naphthalene-centered lactams etc.