The UV-visible spectra of several 3-substituted 2-aryl phenalen-1-ones and dyes such as C.I. Disperse Red 303 which incorporate the phenalen-1-one as the basic chromophore are recorded and colour-chemical constitution aspects of these compounds have been studied. The fluorescence spectral data of C.I. Disperse Red 303 revealed that the component 1 was more fluorescent than the component 2, although 2 was more bathochromic compared with 1. The difference in the fluorescence intensity has been explained on the basis of difference in polarity of the carbonyl group brought about by the positional difference of the electron donor ring sulphur atom. Confirmation of these observations was obtained by X-ray crystallographic study of component 1 of C.I. Disperse Red 303. © 1986.