Disclosed are compositions comprising one or more compounds characterized by the formula: wherein X is a hydrocarbyl, carboxylic acid ester, sulfonic acid ester, carboxylic acid amide or sulfonic acid amide group; Y is a hydrocarbyl, halogen or hydrocarbyloxy group; Ar is an aromatic moiety characterized by the formula: wherein A is a halogen group; each Z is independently a -COOH or -SO3H group, or salts of such groups; m is 1 or 2; each R is independently a halogen, hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbyloxy, carboxylic acid ester, sulfonic acid ester, carboxylic amide, imidazolone, sulfonic acid amide, nitro group; and n is 0, 1 or 2. A process for preparing azo dyes, the dye compositions prepared by this process and the azo pigments derived from such dyes are also disclosed. Paint, ink and plastic compositions containing the foregoing pigments compositions are disclosed.