Triphenylmethane dyes of the formula ##STR1## where each R.sup.1 is independently of the others hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkyl, or two R.sup.1 radicals together with the nitrogen atom joining them form a heterocyclic radical,R.sup.2 and R.sup.5 is independently of the others hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl,R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 is independently of the others hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxy or halogen,An.sup..crclbar. is one equivalent of an anion, andn is 1 or 2,preparable from piperazine derivatives as intermediates, are useful for coloring paper.