| abstract |
A water-soluble complex dye capable of forming an image having light resistance, ozone resistance and high saturation; a water-based recording fluid, particularly an ink jet recording fluid, employing such a dye; an ink set employing such a recording fluid; and an ink jet recording method, are presented. A water-soluble complex dye comprising an azo compound represented by the following formula (1) or its tautomer, and transition metal ions; a water-based recording fluid, particularly an ink jet recording fluid, containing such a dye; and an ink jet recording method employing such a recording fluid. n n n In the formula (1), A 1 is a 5- to 7-membered hetero monocyclic group containing one or two hetero atoms among the ring forming atoms, or a condensed heterocyclic group containing such a hetero monocyclic group and may have an optional substituent, but it represents a group which does not have a hydroxyl group at a position adjacent to the carbon atom bonded to the azo group; ring X 1 represents a condensed hetero ring containing a 6-membered hetero ring, said 6-membered hetero ring being a group bonded to the azo group, and may have an optional substituent; and each of R 1 and R 2 which are independent of each other, is a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent. |