To obtain the subject compound useful as a dye, a pigment and its intermediate product, by reacting 1-aminoanthraquione with an alkylating agent in the presence of a polyether containing Mn.

The 1-aminoanthraquione of formula I {X is H, COR2 or SO2R3 [R2 and R3 are each a (substituted) 1-4C alkyl or a 6-12C aryl]; Y and Z are each a halogen, NO2 or a 1-4C alkyl; (n) is 0-4; (m) is 0-3} is reacted with an alkylating agent in the presence of an alkali and a polyether containing 200g/mol of Mn in an organic solvent to give a compound of formula II [R1 is a (substituted) 1-6C alkyl] in an improved space/time yield.