Primary intermediates for hair coloring compositions for oxidative dyeing of hair are compounds of the formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, hydroxy, nitro, amino, halogen, C.sub.1 to C.sub.5 alkyl or haloalkyl, C.sub.1 to C.sub.5 alkoxy or cyclic alkoxy, C.sub.1 to C.sub.5 hydroxyalkyl and C.sub.1 to C.sub.5 hydroxyalkoxy; Ar is an aromatic group, preferably an aromatic group selected from a furanyl, thienyl, pyridinyl, phenyl, 2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-5 or -6-yl or benzo[1,3]dioxol-4 or -5-yl group; and y=1 to 3.