The solvatochromism of nine push-pull substituted catechol derivatives has been studied in a set of 39 various solvents. The influence of successive methyl substitution at the catechol OH groups on the extent of the solvatochromic shift has been investigated. The positive solvatochromism of 2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzylidene)-2H-indene-1,3-dione amounts 4360 cm -1 , which ranges from toluene to hexamethyl-phosphoric triamide. To the best of our knowledge, it is one of the largest positive solvatochromic extent measured for a positive solvatochromic dye, comparable with Brooker's thiobarbituric acid with an extent of 4400 cm -1 . The detailed analyses of the solvatochromism were carried out by alternatively using the Kamlet-Taft and Catalán solvent parameters to achieve information of dipolarity versus polarizability effects of solvent upon solvatochromic properties. In solvents with high b values such as alcohols (0.66 < b < 0.90), amides (0.48 < b < 0.80), dimethyl sulfoxide ( b = 0.76), tetramethyl urea (b = 0.80) and hexamethylphosphoric triamide (b = 1.05) UV-Vis absorption spectra show two separate l max , which are caused by a deprotonation reaction. The solvatochromic behaviour of the anionic species is compared with those of the catechol derivatives. Scheme 1. Protonation/deprotonation equilibrium of acceptor-substituted catechols (X = acceptor groups) Scheme 2. Synthesis of catechol-based dyes 2-4