Abstract A series of new azo disperse dyes was synthesized by coupling 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2-one (triacetic acid lactone, TAL) or its hydrogenated derivative 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one (dihydro triacetic DHTAL) with diazonium salts derived from aniline, 4-bromoaniline, 4-nitroaniline, 4-methoxyaniline, 2,4-dimethoxyaniline and 2,5-dimethoxyaniline. Spectroscopic data ...