Abstract
The general physical principles on which the self‐associating tendencies of dye ions in aqueous media depend are outlined. The importance of the influence of acid‐base properties is stressed and the possible interference of metal‐complex formation indicated. The broad application of thermodynamic and kinetic concepts to the interpretation of data is given and some typical results are presented. The main methods of experimental study are discussed, essentially on the basis of fundamental principles, and some new spectrophotometric and polarographic results reported. Some objections to hydrogen‐bond theories are raised and it is suggested that the major contributions to the driving force for self‐association are dependent on van der Waals' forces and entropy effects.

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