SILVER HALIDE COLOR PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to silver halide color photographic materials.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In general, silver halide color photographic materials are processed basically by
means of a color development process and a de-silvering process. Thus, the exposed
silver halide is reduced by means of a color developing agent to form silver during
the color developing process and at the same time, the oxidized form of the color
developing agent reacts with a color forming agent (coupler) to provide a colored
image. The silver which is formed at this time is subsequently oxidized by means of
a bleaching agent and then transformed into a soluble silver complex by the action
of a fixing agent, the silver being dissolved and removed in the de-silvering process.
[0003] Strong demands have arisen in the industry in recent years for quicker processing,
which is to say for shorter processing times, and particularly the shortening of the
de-silvering process which accounts for about half of the processing time.
[0004] Disclosures concerning bleach accelerating compound releasing type couplers have
been made in Research Disclosure Nos. 24241 and 11449, and in Japanese Patent Application
(OPI) No. 201247/86, as a way of increasing bleaching power. It is known that de-silvering
properties can be improved by using silver halide color photographic materials which
contain these bleach accelerating compound releasing type couplers.
[0005] However, photosensitive materials which contain the said bleach accelerating compound
releasing type couplers suffer from a pronounced worsening of the cyan image re-coloring
properties when they are processed quickly in the de-silvering process.
[0006] On the other hand, there are various known cyan image forming couplers which are
effective for improving the re-coloring properties of the cyan image (for example
the ureidophenol type cyan couplers disclosed in U.S. Patent 4.333.999 and Japanese
Patent Application (OPI) Nos. 207593/82, 204544
/82. 11863
/83 etc., the 5-amidonaphthol cyan couplers disclosed in Japanese Patent Application
(OPI) Nos. 237448i85, 145557 86 and 153640/86 and, additionally, the diacylaminophenol
type cyan couplers which are used in the field of color paper, etc.), and a 2-ureidophenol
type cyan coupler which has a 4-cyanophenyl group, a type of cyan image forming coupler
which is effective in terms of the re-coloring properties, is used in the examples
of Japanese Patent Application (OPI) No. 201247.86 which concerns the above mentioned
bleach accelerating compound releasing type couplers.
[0007] However, it has been found that there is a disadvantage in that a satisfactory minimum
density cannot be obtained when 2-ureidophenol type cyan couplers are used as cyan
image forming couplers. This disadvantage is especially pronounced when high speed
processing is used, Thus, it does not give rise to the solution of the problem of
shortening the de-silvering process. Furthermore, the diacylaminophenol type cyan
couplers also undesirably tend to have a high level of residual color and increased
minimum image density similar to that observed with the ureido type.
[0008] This invention is intended to solve the above-described problems, which arise with
silver halide color photographic materials which contain bleach accelerating agent
releasing type compounds.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide silver halide color photographic
materials which are superior in terms of de-silvering speed and which have good color
re-forming properties and minimum image densities.
[0010] It has been found that the above mentioned object.of the invention can be achieved
by means of silver halide color photographic materials of which the distinguishing
feature is that (1) at least one type of compound which reacts with the oxidized product
of a primary aromatic amine based developing agent and releases a bleach accelerating
agent, and (2) at least one type of cyan dye forming coupler represented by general
formula (A) below are contained in a silver halide color photographic material which
has at least one silver halide emulsion layer on a support.
General formula (A)
[0011]

In general formula (A), R, represents a halogen atom, an aliphatic group, an aromatic
group, a heterocyclic group, an amidino group, a guanidino group or a group which
can be represented by -COR
4, SO
2R
4, -SOR4,

-NHCOR
4, -NHS0
2R
4, -NHSOR
4,

R
2 represents a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, a sulfo group, an
amino group, a cyano group, a nitro group, an aliphatic group, an aromatic group,
a carbonamido group, a sulfonamido group, a carbamoyl group, a sulfamoyl group, a
ureido group, an acyl group, an acyloxy group, an aliphatic oxy group, an aromatic
oxy group, an aliphatic sulfonyl group, an aromatic sulfonyl group, an aliphatic sulfinyl
group, an aromatic sulfinyl group, an aliphatic oxycarbonyl group, an aromatic oxycarbonyl
group, an aliphatic oxycarbonylamino group, an aromatic oxycarbonylamino group, a
sulfamoylamino group, a heterocyclic group or an imido group, t represents an integer
of value from 0 to 3, R
3 represents a hydrogen atom or R
6 U, and T represents a hydrogen atom or a group which can be eliminated by a coupling
reaction with the oxidized product of a primary aromatic amine developing agent, wherein
R
4 and Rs each represent independently an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, a heterocyclic
group, an amino group, an aliphatic oxy group or an aromatic oxy group, and Rs represents
a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, a heterocyclic group, -OR
7, -SR
7, -COR
3

-PO(R
7)
2, -PO(-OR
7)
2,

-CO
2R
7, -S0
2R
T, -SO
2OR
7 or an imido group, and U represents

-CO-, -S0
2-, -SO- or a simple bond, wherein R
7 represents an aliphatic group, an aromatic group or a heterocyclic group, Rs represents
a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group, an aromatic group or a heterocyclic group, and
R
9 and R
10 each represent independently a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group, an aromatic group,
a heterocyclic group, an acyl group, an aliphatic sulfonyl group or an aromatic sulfonyl
group.
[0012] When t is 2 or 3 the R
2 groups may be the same or different, and they may be joined together to form a ring.
R
2 and R
3, or R
3 and T, may be joined together, respectively, to form rings. Furthermore, dimers or
oligomers or polymers which are linked together via divalent groups or groups of a
valency greater than two for any of Ri, R
2, R
3 or T may also be formed.
[0013] In this invention it has been surprisingly found, that when a photosensitive material
which contains a compound which reacts with the oxidized product of a primary aromatic
amine based color developing agent and releases a bleach accelerating agent (hereinafter
referred to as a "bleach accelerating agent releasing type compound") is processed
quickly, not only are the recoloring properties improved, but the minimum density
obtained is also effectively suppressed by the inclusion in the photosensitive material
of the specific cyan image forming coupler represented by general formula (A).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The compounds which can be used in the invention are described in more detail below.
[0015] The aliphatic groups are linear chain, branched or cyclic alkyl groups, alkenyl groups
or alkynyl groups, and they may be substituted or unsubstituted groups.
[0016] The aromatic groups are substituted or unsubstituted aryl groups and they may have
condensed rings.
[0017] The . heterocyclic groups are substituted or unsubstituted, single ring or condensed
ring type heterocyclic groups.
[0018] Actual examples of aliphatic groups include a group, an ethyl group, an n-propyl
group, a i-propyl group, an n-butyl group, an i-butyl group, a t-butyl group, a cyclopentyl
group, a t-pentyl group, a cyclohexyl group, an n-octyl group, a 2-ethylhexyl group,
an n-decyl group, an n-dodecyl group, an n-tetradecyl group, an n-hexadecyl group,
an n-octadecyl group, a 2-hexyldecyl group, an adamantyl group, a trifluoromethyl
group, a carboxymethyl group, a methoxyethyl group, a vinyl group, an allyl group,
a hydroxyethyl group, a heptafluoropropyl group, a benzyl group, a phenethyl group,
a phenoxyethyl group, a methylsulfonylethyl group, a methanesulfonamidoethyl group,
a 3-(2-ethylhexyloxy)propyl group, a 3-n-decyloxypropyl group, a 3-n-dodecyloxypropyl
group, a 3-n-tetradecyloxypropyl group, an oleyl group, a propargyl group, an ethynyl
group, a 3-(2,4-di-t-pentylphenoxy)propyl group, a 4-(2,4-di-t-pentylphenoxy)-butyl
group, a 1-(2,4-di-t-pentylphenoxy)propyl group, a 1-(2,4-di-t-pentylphenoxy)pentyl
group, a 1-(3-tetradecylphenoxy)propyl group, a 2-n-dodecylthioethyl group etc.
[0019] Actual examples of aromatic groups include a phenyl group, a p-tolyl group, an m-tolyl
group, an o-tolyl group, a 4-chlorophenyl group, a 4-nitrophenyl group, a 4-cyanophenyl
group, a 4-hydroxyphenyl group, a 3-hydroxyphenyl group, a 1-naphthyl group, a 2-naphthyl
group, an o-biphenylyl group, a p-biphenylyl group, a pentafluorophenyl group, a 2-methoxyphenyl
group, a 2-ethoxyphenyl group, a 4-methoxyphenyl group, a 4-t-butylphenyl group, a
4-t-octylphenyl group, a 4-carboxyphenyl group, a 4-methanesulfonamidophenyl group,
a 4-(4-hydroxyphenylsulfonyl)phenyl group, a 2-n-tetradecyloxyphenyl group, a 4-n-tetradecyloxyphenyl
group, a 2-chloro-5-n-dodecyloxyphenyl group, a 3-n-pentadecylphenyl group, a 2-chlorophenyl
group, a 4-methoxycarbonylphenyl group, a 4-methylsulfonylphenyl group, a 2,4-di-t-pentylphenyl
group etc.
[0020] Actual examples of heterocyclic groups include a 2-pyridyl group, a 3-pyridyl group,
a 4-pyridyl group, a 2-furyl group, a 2-thienyl group, a 3-thienyl group, a 4-quinolyl
group, a 2-imidazolyl group, a 2-benzimidazolyl group, a 4-pyrazolyl group, a 2-benzo-oxazolyl
group, a 2-benzothiazolyl group, a 1-imidazolyl group, a I-pyrazolyl group, a 5-tetrazolyl
group, a 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl group, a 2-prolyl group, a 3-triazolyl group, a 4-oxazolyl
group, a 4-thiazolyl group, a 2-pyrimidyl group, a 1,3,5-triazin-2-yl group, a 1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl
group, a 5-pyrazolyl group, a 4-pyrimidyl group, a 2-pyrazyl group, a succinimido
group, a phthalimido group, a morpholino group, a pyrrolidino group, a piperidino
group, an imidazolidin-2.4-dione-3-yl group. imidazolidin-2,4-dione-1-yl group, an
oxazolidin-2,4-dione-3-yl group etc.
[0021] The individual substituent groups in general formula (A) are described in detail
below.
[0022] R
1 in general formula (A) represents a halogen atom, aliphatic group, aromatic group,
heterocyclic group, amidino group, guanidino group or a group which can be represented
by -COR
4, -SO
2R
4, -SOR4,

-NHCOR
4, -NHS02R4. -NHSOR
4,

[0023] Here R4 and R
s each individually represent an aliphatic group which has from 1 to 30 carbon atoms,
an aromatic group which has from 6 to 30 carbon atoms, a heterocyclic group which
has from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, an amino group which has from 0 to 30 carbon atoms
(for example an amino group, a methylamino group, a dimethylamino group, an n-butylamino
group, an anilino group, an N-(2-n-tetradecyloxyphenyl)-amino group, a pyrrolidino
group, a morpholino group, a piperidino group, a 2-ethylhexylamino group, an n-dodecylamino
group, an N-methyl-N-dodecylamino group, a 3-dodecyloxypropylamino group, a 3-(2,4-di-t-pentylphenoxy)propylamino
group, a 4-(2,4-di-t-pentylphenoxy)butylamino group etc.), an aliphatic oxy group
which has from 1 to 30 carbon atoms (for example a methoxy group, an ethoxy group,
a butoxy group, a methoxyethoxy group, an n-dodecyloxy group, a 3-(2,4-di-t-pentylphenoxy)propoxy
group etc.) or an aromatic oxy group which has from 6 to 30 carbon atoms (for example
a phenoxy group, a 4-n-dodecyloxyphenoxy group, a 4-methoxycarbonylphenoxy group etc.).
R4 and R
s may be joined together to form a ring. When R, is a halogen atom it is a fluorine
atom, chlorine atom, bromine atom or iodine atom. When R
1 is an amidino group or a guanidino group, the total number of carbon atoms is from
1 to 30, and these groups may be substituted with aliphatic groups, aromatic groups,
hydroxyl groups, aliphatic oxy groups, acyl groups, aliphatic sulfonyl groups, aromatic
sulfonyl groups, acyloxy groups, aliphatic sulfonyloxy group or aromatic sulfonyloxy
groups, and two nitrogen atoms may be joined together to form a heterocyclic ring
such as an imidazole or a benzimidazole etc.
[0024] R
2 in general formula (A) represents a halogen atom (a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom,
a bromine atom or an iodine atom), a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, a sulfo group,
a cyano group, a nitro group, an amino group which has from 0 to 30 carbon atoms (for
example an amino group, a methylamino group, a dimethylamino group, a pyrrolidino
group, an anilino group etc.), an aliphatic group which has from 1 to 30 carbon atoms,
an aromatic group which has from 6 to 30 carbon atoms, a carbonamido group which has
from 1 to 30 carbon atoms (for example a formamido group, an acetamido group, a trifluoroacetamido
group, a benzamido group etc.), a sulfonamido group which has from 1 to 30 carbon
atoms (for example a methanesulfonamido group, a trifluoromethanesulfonamido group,
an n-butanesulfonamido group, a p-toluenesulfonamido group etc.), a carbamoyl group
which has from 1 to 30 carbon atoms (for example a carbamoyl group, an N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl
group, an N-methylcarbamoyl group, a pyrrolidinocarbamoyl group, an N-n-hexadecylcarbamoyl
group etc.), a sulfamoyl group which has from 0 to 30 carbon atoms (for example a
sulfamoyl group, an N-methylsulfamoyl group, an N,N-dimethylsulfamoyl group, a morpholinosul-
fonyl group, an N-n-dodecylsulfamoyl group etc.), a ureido group which has from 1
to 30 carbon atoms (for example a ureido group, a 3-methylureido group, a 3-phenylureido
group, a 3,3-dimethylureido group etc.), an acyl group which has from 1 to 30 carbon
atoms (for example an acetyl group, a pivaloyl group, a benzoyl group, a dodecanoyl
group etc.), an acyloxy group which has from 1 to 30 carbon atoms (for example an
acetoxy group, a benzoyloxy group etc.), an aliphatic oxy group which has from 1 to
30 carbon atoms, an aromatic oxy group which has from 6 to 30 carbon atoms, an aliphatic
thio group which has from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, an aromatic thio group which has from
6 to 30 carbon atoms, an aliphatic sulfonyl group which has from 1 to 30 carbon atoms,
an aromatic sulfonyl group which has from 6 to 30 carbon atoms, an aliphatic sulfinyl
group which has from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, an aromatic sulfinyl group which has from
6 to 30 carbon atoms, an aliphatic oxycarbonyl group which has from 2 to 30 carbon
atoms, an aromatic oxycarbonyl group which has from 7 to 30 carbon atoms, an aliphatic
oxycarbonylamino group which has from 2 to 30 carbon atoms, an aromatic oxycarbonylamino
group which has from 7 to 30 carbon atoms, a sulfamoylamino group which has from 0
to 30 carbon atoms (for example a sulfamoylamino group, a 3.3-dimethylsulfamoyfamino
group, a piperidinosulfonylamino group etc.), a heterocyclic group which has from
1 to 30 carbon atoms or an imido group which has from 4 to 30 carbon atoms (for example
a succinimido group, a maleimido group, a phthalimido group, a diglycolimido group,
a 4-nitrophthalimido group etc.)..
[0025] R
3 in general formula (A) represents a hydrogen atom or RsU. Here R
6 represents a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group which has from 1 to 30 carbon atoms,
an aromatic group which has from 6 to 30 carbon atoms, a heterocyclic group which
has from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, -OR
7, -SR
7, -COR
8.

-PO(R
7)
2, -PO(-OR
7)
2,

-C0
2R
7, -S0
2R
7, -SO
2OR
7, or an imido group which has from 4 to 30 carbon atoms (for example a succinimido
group, a maleimido group, a phthalimido group, a diacetylamino group etc.) and U represents

-CO-, -S0
2-, -SO- or a simple bond, and R
7 represents an aliphatic group which has from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, an aromatic group
which has from 6 to 30 carbon atoms or a heterocyclic group which has from 1 to 30
carbon atoms, Rε represents a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group which has from 1 to
30 carbon atoms, an aromatic group which has from 6 to 30 carbon atoms or a heterocyclic
group which has from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, and R
9 and R
10 are each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group which has from
1 to 30 carbon atoms, an aromatic group which has from 6 to 30 carbon atoms, a heterocyclic
group which has from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, an acyl group which has from 1 to 30 carbon
atoms (for example an acetyl group, a trifluoroacetyl group, a benzoyl group, a p-chlorobenzoyl
group etc.) or a sulfonyl group which has from 1 to 30 carbon atoms (for example a
methylsulfonyl group, an n-butylsulfonyl group, a phenylsulfonyl group, a p-nitrophenylsulfonyl
group etc.). R
9 and Rio may be joined together to form a ring.
[0026] T in general formula (A) represents a hydrogen atom or a group which can be eliminated
by a coupling reaction with the oxidized product of a primary aromatic amine developing
agent. Here. examples of the latter groups include halogen atoms (a fluorine atom.
a chlorine atom, a bromine atom and an iodine atom), a sulfo group, a thiocyanato
group, an iso-thiocyanato group, a selenocyanato group, aliphatic oxy groups which
have from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, aromatic oxy groups which have from 6 to 30 carbon
atoms. aliphatic thio groups which have from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, aromatic thio groups
which have from 6 to 30 carbon atoms, heterocyclic thio groups which have from 1 to
30 carbon atoms, heterocyclic oxy groups which have from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, aromatic
azo groups which have from 6 to 30 carbon atoms, heterocyclic groups which have from
1 to 30 carbon atoms, acyloxy groups which have from 1 to 30 carbon atoms (for example
an acetoxy group, a benzoyloxy group etc.), sulfonyloxy groups which have from 1 to
30 carbon atoms (for example a methylsulfonyloxy group, a p-tolylsulfonyloxy group
etc.), carbamoyloxy groups which have from 1 to 30 carbon atoms (for example an N,N-dimethylcarbamoyloxy
group, a pyrrolidinocarbonyl oxy group, an N-ethylcarbamoyloxy group etc.), a thiocarbonyloxy
groups which have from 2 to 30 carbon atoms (for example a methylthiocarbonyloxy group,
a phenylthiocarbonyloxy group etc.), and carbonyldioxy groups which have from 2 to
30 carbon atoms (for example a methoxycarbonyloxy group, a phenoxycarbonyloxy group
etc.).
[0027] In general formula (A), R
2 and R
3. R
3 and T, or a plurality of R
2 may be joined together, respectively, to form rings. Examples of R
2 joined to R
3 include -CH
2CO-, -OCO-, -NHCO-, -C(CH
3)
2CO-, -CH=CHCO- etc. Examples of T joined to R
3 include -CH
zC-, -COO- etc. Examples in which a plurality of R
2 are joined together include -(CH
2)
3-, -(CH
2)
4-, -OCO-, -OCONH-, -NHCONH-, -(CH=CH)
2-, -OCH
20-, -OCH
2CH
20-, -OC(CH
3)
20- etc.
[0028] Examples of the preferred substituent groups on the compounds which can be represented
by general formula (A) are described below.
[0029] R, in general formula (A) is preferably a halogen atom, -COR
4 or -SO
2R
4, and cases in which R4 is an amino group are more desirable. Examples of -COR
4 include a carbamoyl group, an N-ethylcarbamoyl group, an N-n-butylcarbamoyl group,
an N-cyclohexylcarbamoyl group, an N-(2-ethylhexyl)carbamoyl group, an n-dodecylcarbamoyl
group, an N-hexadecylcarbamoyl group, an N-(3-decyloxypropyl)carbamoyl group, an N-(3-dodecyloxypropyl)
carbamoyl group, an N-[3-(2,4-di-t-pentylphenoxy)propyl]carbamoyl group, an N-[4-(2,4-di-t-pentylphenoxy)butyl]carbamoyl
group, an N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl group, an N,N-dibutylcarbamoyl group, an N-methyl-N-dodecylcarbamoyl
group, morpholinocarbamoyl group, an N-methyl-N-phenylcarbamoyl group, an N-(2-tetradecyloxyphenyl)carbamoyf
group, an N-phenylcarbamoyl group, an N-(4-tetradecyloxyphenyl)carbamoyl group, an
N-(2-propoxyphenyl)carbamoyl group, an N-(2-chloro-5-dodecyloxyphenyl)carbamoyl group,
an N-(2-chlorophenyl)carbamoyl group etc., and examples of -SO
2R
4 include a sulfamoyl group, an N-methylsulfamoyl group, an N,N-diethylsulfamoyl group,
an N,N-diisopropylsulfamoyl group, an N-(3-dodecyloxypropyl)carbamoyl group, an N-[3-(2,4-di-t-pentylphenoxy)-propyl]carbamoyl
group, an N-[4-(2,4-di-t-pentylphenoxy)butyl]carbamoyl group, a pyrrolidinosulfonyl
group, an N-phenylsulfonyl group, an N-(2-butoxyphenyl)carbamoyl group, an N-(2-tetradecyloxyphenyl)carbamoyl
group etc. The -COR
2 groups (where R4 is an amino group) are the most desirable for Ri.
[0030] t in (R
2)ℓ' in general formula (A) is preferably equal to 0, followed by ℓ'=1. When ℓ'=1,
R
2 is preferably a halogen atom, an aliphatic group, an aliphatic oxy group, a carbonamido
group, a sulfonamido group, a cyano group etc., and of these a fluorine atom, a chlorine
atom, a trifluoromethyl group, a methoxy group or a cyano group is the most desirable.
The R
2 group is preferably substituted in the 2-position or the 4-position with respect
to the R
3NH- group.
[0031] R
6 in R
3 of general formula (A) is preferably an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, -OR
7 or -SR
7, and U is preferably -CO- or -S0
2-. Examples of aliphatic groups include a methyl group, a trifluoromethyl group, a
trichloromethyl group, an ethyl group, a heptafluoropropyl group, a t-butyl group,
a 1-ethylpentyl group, a cyclohexyl group, a benzyl group, an undecyl group, a tridecyl
group, a 1-(2,4-di-t-pentylphenoxy)propyl group etc., examples of aromatic groups
include a phenyl group, a 1-naphthyl group, a 2-naphthyl group, a 2-chlorophenyl group,
a 4-methoxyphenyl group, a 4-nitrophenyl group, a pentafluorophenyl group, etc., examples
of -OR
7 include a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, an iso-propoxy group, an n-butoxy group,
an iso-butoxy group, a t-butoxy group, an n-pentyloxy group, an n-hexyloxy group,
an n-octyloxy group, a 2-ethylhexyloxy group, an n-decyloxy group, an n-dodecyloxy
group, a 2-methoxyethoxy group, a benzyloxy group, a trichloroethoxy group, a trifluoroethoxy
group, a phenoxy group, a p-methylphenoxy group etc., and examples of -SR
7 include a methylthio group, an ethylthio group, an allylthio group, an n-butylthio
group, a benzylthio group, an n-dodecylthio group, a phenylthio group, a p-t-octylphenylthio
group, a p-dodecylphenylthio group, a p- octyloxyphenylthio group etc. R
3 is preferably an aliphatic oxycarbonyl group (where R
6 is an R
70- group and U is an -CO- group), or an aliphatic or aromatic sulfonyl group (where
Rs is an aliphatic or aromatic group and U is an -S0
2- group), and it is most desirably an aliphatic oxycarbonyl group.
[0032] T in general formula (A) preferably represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an
aliphatic oxy group, an aromatic oxy group, an aliphatic thio group or a heterocyclic
thio group. Examples of aliphatic oxy groups include a methoxy group, an ethoxy group,
a 2-hydroxyethoxy group, a 2-chloroethoxy group, a carboxymethoxy group, a 1-carboxyethoxy
group, a methoxyethoxy group, a 2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy group, a 2-methylsulfonylethoxy
group, a 2-methylsulfonyloxyethoxy group, a 2-methanesulfonamidoethoxy group, a 2-carboxyethoxy
group, a 3-carboxypropoxy group, a 2-(carboxymethylthio)ethoxy group, a 2-(1-carboxytridecylthio)ethoxy
group, a 1-carboxytridecyl group, an N-(2-methoxyethyl)carbamoylmethoxy group, a 1-imidazolylmethoxy
group, a 5-phenoxycarbonylbenzotriazol-1-ylmethoxy group etc., examples of aromatic
oxy groups include a 4-nitrophenoxy group, a 4-acetamidophenoxy group, a 2-acetamidophenoxy
group, a 4-methylsulfonylphenoxy group, a 4-(3-carboxypropanamido)phenoxy group etc,
examples of aliphatic thio groups include, a methylthio group, a 2- hydroxyethylthio
group, a carboxymethylthio group, a 2-carboxyethylthio group, a 1-carboxyethylthio
group, a 3-carboxypropylthio group, a 2-dimethylaminoethyl- thio group, a benzylthio
group, an n-dodecylthio group, a 1-carboxytridecylthio group etc., and examples of
heterocyclic thio groups include a 1-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylthio group, a 1-ethyl-1,2,3.4-tetrazol-5-ylthio
group, a 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1.2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylthio group, a 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazol-3-ylthio
group, a 5-methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-ylthio group, a 1-(2-carboxyethyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylthio
group, a 5-methylthio-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-ylthio group, a 5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-ylthio
group, a 5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-ylthio group, a 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-ylthio
group, a benzooxazol-2-ylthio group, a 1-methyl-benzimidazol-2- ylthio group, a 1-(2-dimethylaminophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylthio
group, a benzothiazol-2-ylthio group, a 5-(ethoxycarbonylmethylthio)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-ylthio
group, a 1,2,4-triazol-3-ylthio group, a 4-pyridylthio group, a 2-pyrimidylthio group
etc. More desirably, T is a hydrogen atom, a chlorine atom, an aliphatic oxy group
or an aliphatic thio group, and most desirably it is a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic
oxy group.
[0033] The couplers which can be represented by general formula (A) can take the form of
dimers or larger oligomers which are bonded together via divalent groups or groups
of higher valency for the substituent groups R
I, R
2, R
3 or T, respectively. In this case the groups may be outside the specified number of
carbon atoms shown for each of the aforementioned substituent groups.
[0034] Cases in which the couplers indicated by the general formula (A) are in the form
of oligomers are typically homopolymers, or copolymers, of ethylenic unsaturated addition
polymerizable compounds which have a cyan dye forming coupler residual group (cyan
color forming monomers). In such a case, the oligomer contains a repeating unit of
general formula (B), and one or more type of cyan color forming repeating unit shown
by general formula (B) may be included in the oligomer, and it may be a copolymer
which contains one or more types of non-color forming ethylenic monomer as a copolymer
component.
General Formula (B)
[0035]

[0036] In this formula Ri represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group which has from 1 to
4 carbon atoms or a chlorine atom, H represents -CONH-, -COO- or a substituted or
unsubstituted phenylene group, I represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene
group, phenylene group or aralkylene group, and J represents -CONH-, -NHCONH-, -NHCOO-.
-NHCO-. -OCONH-, -NH-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CO-, -0-, -S0
2-, -NHSOz- or -S0
2NH-. Moreover, a . b' and c' represent 0 or 1. K represents a cyan coupler residual
group, in which a hydrogen atom other than the hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl group
in the 1-position has been removed from a compound which can be represented by general
formula (A).
[0037] Copolymers of cyan color forming monomers which provide a coupler unit of general
formula (B) and the non-color forming ethylenic monomers indicated below are the preferred
oligomers.
[0038] Non-color forming ethylenic monomers which do not couple with the oxidation products
of primary aromatic amine developing agents include acrylic acid, a-chloroacrylic
acid, a-alkyl acrylic acids (for example methacrylic acid etc.), esters and amides
derived from these acrylic acids (for example acrylamide, methacrylamide, n-butylacrylamide,
t-butylacrylamide, diacetoneacrylamide, N-methylolacrylamide, N-(1,1-dimethyl-2-sulfonatoethyl)acrylamide.
N-(3-sulfonatopropyl)acrylamide, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-propyl acrylate,
n-butyl acrylate, t-butylacrylate. iso-butyl acrylate, acetoacetoxyethyl acrylate,
n-hexyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, n-octyl acrylate, lauryl acrylate, methyl
methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate and d-hydroxymethacrylate),
vinyl esters (for example vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate and vinyl laurate), acrylonitrile,
methacrylonitrile, aromatic vinyl compounds (for example styrene and derivatives thereof,
for example vinyltoluene, divinylbenzene, potassium styrenesulfinate, vinylacetophenone
and sulfostyrene), itaconic acid, citraconic acid, crotonic acid, vinylidene chloride,
vinyl alkyl ethers (for example vinyl ethyl ether), maleic acid esters, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone,
N-vinylpyridine, 2-vinylpyridine and 4-vinylpyridine etc.
[0039] The acrylic acid esters, methacrylic acid esters and the maleic acid esters are especially
desirable. Two or more types of non-color forming ethylenic monomer can be used conjointly.
For example, it is possible to use methyl acrylate with butyl acrylate, butyl acrylate
with styrene, butyl methacrylate with methacrylic acid, methyl acrylate with diacetoneacrylamide,
N-(1,1-dimethyl-2-sulfonatoethyl)acrylamide with acrylic acid, potassium styrenesulfinate
with N-vinylpyrrolidone etc.
[0040] The ethylenic unsaturated monomer used for copolymerization with the aforementioned
vinyl based monomer corresponding to general formula (B) can. be selected in such
a way so as to have a beneficial effect on the physical and/or chemical properties,
for example the solubility, compatibility with binding agents such as gelatin used
in photographic colloidal compositions, flexibility and heat resistance of the photographic
colloidal compositions etc., of the copolymer which is formed, as is well known in
the polymeric coupler field.
[0041] Lipophilic non-color forming ethylenic monomers (for example acrylic acid esters,
methacrylic acid esters, maleic acid esters etc.) are' preferably selected as the
main copolymer component for obtaining lipophilic polymeric couplers which are soluble
in organic solvents.
[0042] A solution of a lipophilic polymeric coupler obtained by polymerizing a vinyl based
monomer which provides a coupler unit which can be represented by the aforementioned
general formula (B) in an organic solvent can be prepared by emulsification and dispersion,
or by direct emulsification polymerization, in the form of a latex in an aqueous gelatin
solution.
[0043] The method disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,451,820 can be used for the emulsification
and dispersion of a lipophilic polymeric coupler in the form of a latex in an aqueous
gelatin solution, and the method disclosed in U.S. Patents 4,080,211 and 3,370,952
can be used for emulsion polymerization.
[0044] Hydrophilic non-color forming ethylenic monomers such as N-(1,1-dimethyl-2-sulfonatoethyl)acrylamide,
3-sulfonatopropyl acrylate, sodium styrenesulfonate, potassium 2-styrenesulfinate,
acrylamide, methacrylamide, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, N-vinylpyrrolidone, N-vinylpyridine
etc. are preferred as copolymer components for obtaining hydrophilic polymeric couplers
which are soluble in neutral or alkaline water.
[0045] Hydrophilic polymeric couplers can be added to a coating liquid as an aqueous solution,
or they can be dissolved in a mixed solution consisting of water and an organic solvent
which is miscible with water such as a lower alcohol, tetrahydrofuran, acetone, ethyl
acetone, cyclohexane, ethyl lactate, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide etc. and
added in this form. Moreover, they can be dissolved in aqueous alkaline solutions
or in alkali containing organic solvents and added in this form. Small quantities
of surfactants can also be added.
[0046] Actual examples of couplers represented by the general formula (A) which can be used
in the invention are indicated below, but the invention is not limited to these examples.
[0048] Examples of couplers represented by the general formula (A) other than those mentioned
above which can be used in the invention have been disclosed in Japanese Patent Application
(OPI) Nos. 237448/85, 153640/86 and 145557/86 and in Japanese Patent Application No.
42090/87. Furthermore, these couplers can be synthesized using the methods disclosed
in Japanese Patent Application Nos. 259752/85, 259753/85 and 205344/86 as well as
those in the patent specifications mentioned above.
[0049] The couplers represented by the general formula (A) of this invention can be added
to an emulsion layer or to a non-photosensitive intermediate layer. They are preferably
included in an emulsion layer.
[0050] The amount added is from 0.01 mol% to 100 mol%, preferably from 0.1 mol% to 50 mol%,
and most desirably from 1 mol% to 20 mol%, with respect to the total amount of silver
coated.
[0051] The bleach accelerating agent releasing type compounds used in the invention are
described in detail below.
[0052] The compounds which can be represented by general formula (I) below are preferred
as the compounds which release a bleach accelerating agent in this invention.
General Formula (I)
[0054] (In this formula, A represents a group of which the bond with (L)p-Z is cleaved by
reaction with the oxidized product of the developing agent, L represents a timing
group or a group of which the bond with Z is cleaved by reaction with the oxidized
product of the developing agent, p represents a integer of 0 to 3, and when p is 2
or 3 the p individual L groups may be the same or different, and Z represents a group
which, when the bond with A-(L)p has been cleaved, has a bleach accelerating action.)
[0055] Moreover, compounds which can be represented by general formula (I') below are preferred.
General Formula (I )
[0057] (In this formula, A represents a group of which the bond with (L, )
a-(L
2)
b-Z is cleaved by reaction with the oxidized product of the developing agent, L
1 represents a timing group or a group of which the bond with (L
2)
b-Z is cleaved by reaction with the oxidized product of the developing agent, L
2 represents a timing group or a group of which the bond with Z is cleaved by reaction
with the oxidized product of the developing agent, Z represents a group which, when
the bond with A-(L
1)
a-(L
2)
b has been cleaved, has a bleach accelerating action, and a and b each have a value
of 0 or 1.)
[0058] More precisely, A in general formulae (I) and (I') represents a coupler residual
group or a redox group.
[0059] The known coupler residual groups can be used for the coupler residual group represented
by A. For example, it may be a yellow coupler residual group (for example an open
chain ketomethylene type coupler residual group), a magenta coupler residual group
(for example a coupler residual group of the 5-pyrazolone type, pyrazoloimidazole
type, pyrazolotriazole type etc.), a cyan coupler residual group (for example a coupler
residual group of the phenol type, naphthol type etc.), or a colorless coupler residual
group (for example a coupler residual group of the indanone type, acetophenone type
etc.). Furthermore, it may be a coupler residual group of the heterocyclic type disclosed
in U.S. Patents 4,315,070, 4,183,752, 3,961,959 or 4,171,223.
[0060] When A in general formula (I') represents a coupler residual group, the preferred
examples of A are the coupler residual groups which can be represented by general
formulae (Cp-1), (Cp-2), (Cp-3), (Cp-4), (Cp-5), (Cp-6), (Cp-7). (Cp-8), (Cp-9) or
(Cp-10) indicated below. These couplers preferably have a high coupling rate.
General Formula (Cp-1)
[0061]

General Formula (Cp-2)
[0062]

General Formula (Cp-3)
[0063]

General Formula (Cp-4)
[0064]

General Formula (Cp-5)
[0065]

General Formula (Cp-6)
[0066]

General Formula (Cp-7)
[0067]

General Formula (Cp-8)
[0068]

General Formula (Cp-9)
[0069]

General Formula (Cp-10)
[0070]

[0071] In the formulae indicated above, the free bond extending from the coupling position
indicates the bonding position of the coupling elimination group.
[0072] In cases where a diffusion resisting group is included in R
51, Rs
2, Rs
3, R
54, Rss, Rss, R
57, R
58, R
59, R
60, R
61, R
62 or R
63 in the formulae indicated above, it is selected in such a way that the total number
of carbon atoms is from 8 to 40, and preferably from 10 to 30, and in other cases
the total number of carbon atoms is preferably not more than 15. In the case of bis
type, telomeric or polymeric couplers, any of the aforementioned substituent groups
may represent the divalent group connecting the repeating units etc. In this case,
the number of carbon atoms may be outside the range indicated above.
[0073] R
51 to R
63, d and e are described in detail below. Here R
41 represents an aliphatic group, an aromatic group or a heterocyclic group, R
42 represents an aromatic group or a heterocyclic group and R
43, R
44 and R
4s represent hydrogen atoms, aliphatic groups, aromatic groups or heterocyclic groups.
[0074] R
51 has the same meaning as R
41. Rs
2 and Rs
3 each have the same meaning as R
42. Rs
4 represent a group having the same meaning as R
41, an

group, an

group, an

group, an R
41S- group, an R
430- group, an

group or an N≡C- group. Rss represents a group having the same meaning as R
41. R
56 and R
57 each represent groups having the same meaning as R
43 or an R
41 S- group, an R
43 O- group, an

group or an

group.
[0075] R
58 represents a group having the same meaning as R
41. R
59 represents a group having the same meaning as R
41,

group, an

group, an

group, an

group, an R
410- group, an R
41S- group, a halogen atom or an

group.
[0076] Moreover d represents a value from 0 to 3.
[0077] When d is more than one, the plurality of R
59 groups may represent the same substituent group or different substituent groups.
Furthermore, the R
59 groups may be divalent group linked together to form a ring structure. The groups
indicated below are typical examples of divalent groups for forming ring structures.

group or

group
[0078] Here f represents an integer of value 0 to 4 and g represents an integer of value
0 to 2.
[0079] R
60 represents a group which has the same meaning as R
41. R
61 represents a group which has the same meaning as R41. R
62 represents a group which has the same meaning as R
41, an R
41CONH- an R
41OCONH- group, an R
41SO
2NH- group, an

group, an

group, an R
430- group, an R
41S- group, a halogen atom or an

[0080] R
63 represents a group which has the same meaning as R
41, an

group, an

group, an

group, an

group, an R
4SO
2- group an R
41OCO- group, an R
41SO
2- group, a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyano group or an R
43CO- group. Moreover, e represents an integer of value 0 to 4. When there are two or
more R
62 or R
63 groups, they may represent the same group or different groups.
[0081] In the above description the aliphatic group is a saturated or unsaturated, chain
like or cyclic, linear chain or branched, substituted or unsubstituted, aliphatic
group which has from 1 to 32, preferably from 1 to 22. carbon atoms. Typical examples
include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an iso-propyl group, a butyl
group, a t-butyl group, an iso-butyl group, a t-amyl group, a hexyl group, a cyclohexyl
group, a 2-ethylhexyl group, an octyl group, a 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl group, a decyl
group, a dodecyl group, a hexadecyl group and an octadecyl group.
[0082] The aromatic group is preferably a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group or a
substituted or unsubstituted naphthyl group which has from 6 to 20 carbon atoms.
[0083] The heterocyclic group is a substituted or unsubstituted, preferably 3 to 8 membered,
heterocyclic group in which the hetero atoms are selected from among a nitrogen atom,
an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, and which has from 1 to 20, and preferably from 1
to. 7, carbon atoms. Typical examples of heterocyclic groups include a 2-pyridyl group,
a 2-thienyl group, a 2 furyl group, a 1-imidazolyl group, a 1- indolyl group, a phthalimido
group, a 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl group, a 2-quinolyl group, a 2,4-dioxo-1,3-imidazolidin-5-yl
group, a 2,4-dioxo-1,3-imidazolidin-3-yl group, a succinimido group, a 1,2,4-triazol-2-yl
group or a 1-pyrazolyl group.
[0084] When the aforementioned aliphatic groups, aromatic groups and heterocyclic groups
have substituent groups, the substituent groups may be, for example, halogen atoms,
R
47O- groups, R
46S- groups,

groups,

groups, groups which have the same meaning as R
46,

groups,
[0085] R
46COO- groups, R
47OSO
2- groups, cyano groups or nitro groups. Here R
46 represents an aliphatic group, an aromatic group or a heterocyclic group and R
47, R
48 and R
49 each represent an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, a heterocyclic group or a hydrogen
atom. The meaning of the terms an aliphatic group, an aromatic group and a heterocyclic
group is the same as defined earlier.
[0086] The preferred ranges for R
51 to R
63, d and e are described below.
[0087] R
51 is preferably an aliphatic group or an aromatic group. R
52, R
53 and R
ss are preferably aromatic groups. Rs4 is preferably an R
41CONH- group or an

group. R
56 and R
57 are preferably aliphatic groups, R
41O-groups or R
41S- groups.
[0088] R
58 is preferably an aliphatic group or an aromatic group. In general formula (Cp-6),
R
59 is preferably a chlorine atom, an aliphatic group or an R
41CONH- group, and d is preferably 1 or 2. R
60 is preferably an aromatic group. In general formula (Cp-7), Rss is preferably an
R
41CONH- group. In general formula (Cp-7), _ d is preferably 1. R
61 is preferably an aliphatic group or an aromatic group. In general formula (Cp-8),
e is preferably 0 or 1. An R
41OCONH- group, R
41CONH- group or an R
41SO
2NH- group is preferred for R
62 and these are preferably substituted in the 5-position of the naphthol ring. In general
formula (Cp-9), R
63 is preferably an R
41CONH- group. an R
41SO
2NH- group, an

an R
41SO
2- group, an

a nitro group or a cyano group.
[0089] In general formula (Cp-10), R
63 is preferably an

group, an R
430CO- group, or an R
43CO- group.
[0090] Typical examples of R
51 to R
63 are described below.
[0091] Rs may be a t-butyl group, a 4-methoxyphenyl group, a phenyl group, a 3-{2-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)-butanamido}phenyl
group, or a methyl group. Rs
2 and R
s3 may be 2-chloro-5-dodecyloxycarbonylphenyl groups, 2-chloro-5-hexadecylsulfonamidophenyl
groups, 2-chloro-5-tetradecanamidophenyl groups, 2-chloro-5-{4-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy}butanamido]phenyl
groups, 2-chloro-5-{2-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)-butanamido}phenyl groups. 2-methoxyphenyl
groups, 2-methoxy-5-tetradecyloxycarbonylphenyl groups, 2-chloro-5-(1-ethoxycarbonyl-ethoxycarbonyl)phenyl
groups, 2-pyridyi groups, 2-chloro-5-octyloxycarbonyl- phenyl groups, 2,4-dichlorophenyl
groups, 2-chloro-5-(1-dodecyloxycarbonylethoxy-carbonyl)phenyl groups, 2-chlorophenyl
groups or 2-ethoxyphenyl groups.
[0092] R
s4 be a 3-{2-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)butanamido}benzamido group, a 3-{4-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)-butanamido}benzamido
group, a 2-chloro-5-tetradecanamidoanilino group, a 5-(2,4-di-t-amylphenox- yacetamido)benzamido
group, a 2-chloro-5-dodecenylsuccinimidoanilino group, a 2-chloro-5-{2-(3-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenoxy)tetradecanamido}anilino
group, a 2.2-dimethylpropanamido group, a 2-(3-pentadecyl- phenoxy)butanamido group,
pyrrolidino group or a N,N-dibutylamino group. Rss is preferably a 2,4,6-trichlorophenyl
group, a 2-chlorophenyl group, a 2,5-di chlorophenyl group, a 2,3-dichlorophenyl group,
a 2,6-dichloro-4-methoxyphenyl group, a 4-{2-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)butanamido}phenyl
group or a 2,6-dichloro-4-methanesulfonylphenyl group. R
56 may be a methyl group, an ethyl group, an iso-propyl group, a methoxy group, an ethoxy
group, a methylthio group, an ethylthio group, a 3-phenylureido group or a 3-(2,4-di-t
amylphenoxy)propyl group. R
57 may be a 3-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)propyl group, a 3-[4-{2-[4-(4-hydroxyphenylsulfonyl)phenoxy]tetradecanamido}phenyl]propyl
group, a methoxy group, a methylthio group, an ethylthio group, a methyl group, a
1-methyl-2-(2-octyloxy-5-[2-octyloxy-5-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenylsulfonamido]phenylsulfonamido)ethyl
group, a 3-{4-(4-dodecyloxyphenylsulfonamido)-phenyl}propyl group, a 1,1-dimethyl-2-(2-octyloxy-5-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenylsulfonamido]ethyl
group or a dodecylthio group. R
58 may be a 2-chlorophenyl group, a pentafluorophenyl group, a pentafluoropropyl group,
a 1-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)propyl group, a 3-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)propyl group, a
2,4-di-t-amylphenoxymethyl group or a furyl group. R
59 may be a chlorine atom, a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, a butyl group,
an iso-propyl group, a 2-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)butanamido group, a 2-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)hexanamido
group, a 2-(2,4-di-t-octylphenoxy)octanamido group, a 2-(2-chlorophenoxy)-tetradecanamido
group, a 2-{4-(4-hydroxyphenylsulfonyl)phenoxy}tetradecan amido group or a 2-{2-(2,4-dit-amylphenoxyacetamido)phenoxy}butanamido
group. R
60 may be a 4-cyanophenyl group, a 2-cyanophenyl group, a 4-butylsulfonylphenyl group,
a 4-propylsulfonylphenyl group, a 4-chloro-3-cyanophenyl group, a 4- ethoxycarbonylphenyl
group or a 3,4-dichlorophenyl group. R
61 may be a dodecyl group, a hexadecyl group, a cyclohexyl group, a 3-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)propyl
group, a 4-(2.4-di-t-amylphenoxy)butyl group, a 3-dodecyloxypropyl group, a t-butyl
group, a 2-methoxy-5-dodecyloxycarbonylphenyl group or a 1-naphthyl group. R
62 may be an iso-butyloxycarbonylamino group, an ethoxycarbonylamino group, a phenylsul-
fonylamino group, a methanesulfonamido group, a benzamido group, a trifluoroacetamido
group, a 3-phenylureido group, a butoxycarbonylamino group or an acetamido group.
R
63 may be a 2,4-di-t-amylphenoxyacetamido group, a 2-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)butanamido
group, a hexadecanesulfonamido group, an N-methyl-N-octadecylsulfamoyl group, an N,N-dioctylsulfamoyl
group, a 4-t-octylbenzoyl group, a dodecyloxycarbonyl group, a chlorine atom, a nitro
group, a cyano group, an N-(4-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)-butyl}carbamoyl group, an N-3-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)propylsulfamoyl
group, a methanesulfonyl group or a hexadecylsulfonyl group.
[0093] When A in general formula (I) represents a redox group it is, more precisely, a group
which can be represented by general formula (II) below.
General Formula (II)
[0094]

In this formula, P and Q each independently represent an oxygen atom or a substituted
or unsubstituted imino group, at least one of the n individual X and Y groups represents
a methine group which has a group -(L
1)
a-(L
2)
b-Z as a substituent and the other X and Y groups represent substituted or unsubstituted
methine groups or nitrogen atoms, n represents an integer of from 1 to 3 (representing
n individual X and n individual Y groups which are the same or different), and A
1 and A
2 each represent hydrogen atoms or groups which can be removed with alkali. Here, cases
in which any two of the substituent groups P, X, Y, Q, Ai and A
2 are divalent and linked together to form a ring structure are also included. For
example (X=Y)
n may form a benzene ring, a pyridine ring etc.
[0095] When P and Q represent substituted or unsubstituted imino groups, the imino groups
are preferably substituted with sulfonyl groups or acyl groups.
[0096] At this time, P and Q can be represented by the following general formulae:
General Formula (N-1) General Formula (N-2)
[0097]

[0098] Here, indicates the position at which the group is bonded to Ai or A
2, and - indicates the position of one of the free bonds of the f X=Y)̵
n group.
[0099] In these formulae, the group represented by G is preferably a linear chain, branched
or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic group
which has from 1 to 32, and preferably from 1 to 22, carbon atoms (for example a methyl
group, an ethyl group, a benzyl group, a phenoxybutyl group, an iso-propyl group etc.),
a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group which has from 6 to 10 carbon atoms
(for example a phenyl group, a 4-methylphenyl group, a 1-naphthyl group, a 4-dodecyloxyphenyl
group etc.), or a four to seven membered heterocyclic group in which the hetero atom
is selected from among nitrogen atom, a sulfur atom or an oxygen atom (for example
a 2-pyridyl group, a 1-phenyl-4-imidazolyl group, a 2-furyl group, a benzothienyl
group etc.).
[0100] P and Q in general formula (II) are preferably each independently oxygen atoms or
groups which can be represented by the general formula (N-1).
[0101] When A, and A
2 represent groups which can be removed with alkali (hereinafter referred to as "precursor
groups") they are preferably groups which can be hydrolyzed, such as acyl groups,
alkoxycarbonyl groups, aryloxycarbonyl groups, carbamoyl groups, sulfonyl groups etc.,
precursor groups of the type in which a reverse Michael reaction is used as disclosed
in U.S. Patent 4,009,029, precursor groups of the type in which an anion formed after
the ring opening cleavage is used as an intramolecular nucleophilic group as disclosed
in U.S. Patent 4,310.612, precursor groups in which an anion transfers an electron
via a conjugated system and thereby brings about a cleavage reaction as disclosed
in U.S. Patents 3,674,478, 3,932,480, or 3,993,661, precursor groups in which a cleavage
reaction is brought about by the electron transfer of an anion which has reacted after
ring opening cleavage as disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,335,200 or a precursor group in
which an imidomethyl group is used as disclosed in U.S. Patents 4,363,865 or 4,410,618.
[0102] In general formula (II), P preferably represents an oxygen atom and A
2 preferably represents a hydrogen atom.
[0103] Moreover, in general formula (II), X and Y are preferably substituted or unsubstituted
methine groups, except for the X and Y groups which are methine groups which have
-(L
1)
a-(L
2)
b-Z as a substituent group.
[0104] Of the groups which can be represented by general formula (II), those which can be
represented by general formulae (III) and (IV) below are especially desirable.
General Formula (III)
[0105]

General Formula (IV)
[0106]

[0107] In these formulae, indicates the position at which the -(L
1)
a-(L
2)
b-Z group is bonded and P, Q, A
1 and A
2 have the same meaning as described in connection with general formula (II). Moreover,
R
64. represents a substituent group and q represents 0 or an integer of from 1 to 3.
When q has a value of 2 or 3 the 2 or 3 R
64 groups may be the same of different, and when the R
64 groups are substituent groups on adjacent carbon atoms, cases in which they are divalent
groups and linked together and represent a ring structure are also included. In such
a case, a condensed benzene ring may be formed to provide for example ring structures
such as naphthalenes, benzonorbornanes, chromans, indoles, benzothiophenes, quinolines,
benzofurans, 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans, indanes or indenes etc., and these may have one
or more substituent group. Examples of preferred substituent groups when substituent
groups are present on these condensed rings and preferred examples of R
64 when the R
64 do not form a condensed ring are indicated below. That is to say these groups include
an R
4, group, halogen atoms, an R
430- group, an R
43S- group, an

group, an R
4300C- group, an R
41S0
2- group, an

group, an.

group an

group, an R
43CD- group, an R
41COO- group, an

group, a cyano group or an

group etc.
[0108] Here R
41, R
43, R
44 and R
45 have the same meaning as described earlier. Typical examples of R
64 are indicated below. That is to say, a methyl group, an ethyl group, a t-butyl group,
a methoxy group, a methylthio group, a dodecylthio group, a 3-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)propylthio
group, an N-3-(2,4-di-t-amyl- phenoxy)propylcarbamoyl group, an N-methyl-N-octadecyloxycarbamoyl
group, a methoxycarbonyl group, a dodecyloxycarbonyl group, a propylcarbamoyl group,
a hydroxyl group or an N,N-dioctylcarbamoyl group. An example of a case in which two
R
64 groups form a ring structure is provided by the group- indicated below:

[0109] P and Q preferably represent oxygen atoms on general formulae (III) and (IV).
[0110] A
1 and A
2 preferably represent hydrogen atoms in general formulae (III) and (IV).
[0111] The groups represented by L
1 and L
2 in general formula (I') may or may not be used in the invention. They are not used
for preference, but they can be selected appropriately for a particular purpose. When
L
1 and L
2 represent timing groups they may consist of the well known linking groups indicated
below.
[0112] (1) Groups in which a Hemiacetal Cleavage Reaction is used.
[0113] These have been disclosed for example in U.S. Patent 4,146,396 and Japanese Patent
Application (OPI) Nos. 249148/85 and 249149i85 and they are groups which can be represented
by the general formula indicated below. Here, * indicates the position which is bonded
on the left hand side in general formula (II) and ** indicates the position which
is bonded on the right hand side in formula (II).
General Formula (T-1)
[0114]

In this formula. W represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom or an

group, R
66 and R
66 represent hydrogen atoms or substituent groups, R
67 represents a substituent group, and t represents 1 or 2. When t is 2, the two

groups may be the same of different. Typical examples of R
65 and R
66 as substituent groups and of R
67 are an R
69 group, an R
69CO- group, an R
69S0
2- group, . an

group or an

group.
[0115] Here R
69 is a group which has the same meaning as R
41 described earlier, and R
70 is a group which has the same meaning as R
43. Cases in which R
65 , R
66 and R
67 represent divalent groups respectively and these are joined together to form ring
structures are also included. The groups indicated below are actual examples of groups
which can be represented by the general formula (T-1).

[0116] (2) Groups in which a Cleavage Reaction is Brought About Using an Intramolecular
Nucleophilic Substitution Reaction.
[0117] For example, the timing groups which are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,248,962. These
can be represented by general formula (T-2) indicated below.
[0118] General Formula (T-2)
[0121] (3) Groups in which a Cleavage Reaction is Brought About Using an Electron Transfer
Reaction Along a Conjugated System.
[0122] For example those disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,409,323 or 4,421,845, being groups which
can be represented by general formula (T-3) indicated below.
General Formula (T-3)
[0123]

[0124] In this formula, *, **, W, R
65, R
66 and t have the same meaning as in general formula (T-1). Groups such as those indicated
below are actual examples of such groups.
[0126] For example the linking groups disclosed in West German Patent Application (OLS)
No. 2,626,315, being groups as indicated below. In these formulae, * and ** have the
same meaning as described in connection with general formula (T-1).
General Formula (T-4) General Formula (T-5)
[0127]
[0128] (5) Groups in which an Iminoketal Cleavage Reaction is Used.
[0129] For example the linking groups disclosed in U.S. Patent 4.546.073, being groups which
can be represented by general formula (T-6) indicated below.
General Formula (T-6)
[0130]

In this formula,
*, ** and W have the same meaning as described in connection with general formula (T-1)
and R
68 represents a group which has the same meaning as R
67. The following groups are actual examples of groups which can be represented by general
formula (T-6)

[0131] When the group which is represented by L
1 in general formula (I ) is a group which reacts with the oxidized product of the
developing agent after cleavage from A and from which the group (L
2)
b-Z is cleaved, it is more specifically a group which forms a coupler or a group which
forms a redox group after cleavage from A. Similarly, when the group which is represented
by L
2 is a group which reacts with the oxidized product of the developing agent after cleavage
from the A-(Li)b group with the cleavage of the Z group, it is more specifically a
group which forms a coupler or group which forms a redox group after cleavage from
A-(L
1)
b.
[0132] The groups which form couplers, in the case of phenol type couplers for example,
are those in which A-, or A-(L
1)
b- is bonded to an oxygen atom obtained by removing the hydrogen atom of a hydroxyl
group. Furthermore, in the case of the 5-pyrazolone type couplers, they are those
in which A- or A-(L
1)
b- is bonded to an oxygen atom obtained by removing a hydrogen atom from the hydroxyl
group of the tautomeric 5-hydroxypyrazole form. In these examples, a phenol type coupler
or 5-pyrazolone type coupler is formed, starting with the elimination from A- or A-(L
1)
b- respectively. These have (̵L
2)
b-Z or Z at the coupling position.
[0133] When L and L
2 represent groups which become couplers, they are preferably groups which can be represented
by general formulae (V), (VI), (VII) or (VIII) below. In these formulae,
* indicates the position of the bonding on the left hand side in general formula (I')
and ** indicates the position of the bonding on the right hand side.
General Formula (V) General Formula (VI)
[0134]

General Formula (VII) General Formula (VIII)
[0135]

In these formulae, V
1 and V
2 represent substituent groups, V
3, V
4, Vs and V
6 represent nitrogen atoms or substituted or unsubstituted methine groups, V
7 represents a substituent group, and x represents an integer of 0 to 4. When x is
two or more, then the V
7 groups may be the same or different and two V7 groups may be linked together to form
a ring.structure. V
8 represents a -CO- group, a -S0
2- group, an oxygen atom or a substituted imino group, V
9 represents a group of non-metallic atoms for forming a five to eight membered ring
in conjunction with

and V
1 o represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent group. However, V
1 and V
2 may each be divalent groups and linked together to form a five to eight membered
ring in conjunction with

[0136] V
1 preferably represents an R
71 group, and an R
72 group, an R
72CO- group,

an R
72SO
2-group, an R
72S- group, an R
720- group or an

group are preferred examples of the V
2 group. Examples of rings formed by the linking together of V
1 and V
2 include indenes, indoles, pyrazoles and benzothiophenes.
[0137] When V
3, V
4, Vs or Vs is a substituted methine group, the preferred substituent groups are an
R
71 group, an R
73O- group, an R
71S- group or an R
71CONH- group.
[0138] Halogen atom, an R
7' group, an R
71CONH- group, an R
71SO
2NH- group, an R
73O- group, an R
71S-group, an

group, an

group, an R
71CO- group and an R
73OOC- group are preferred examples of V
7. Examples of ring structures formed by the linking together of a plurality of V
7 groups include naphthalenes, quinolines, oxyindoles, benzodiazipin-2,4-diones, benzimidazol-2-ones
and benzothiophenes.
[0139] When V
8 represents a substituted imino group it is preferably an

group.
[0140] The preferred ring structures formed by Vg with

are indoles, imidazolinones, 1,2,5-thiadiazolin-1,1-dioxides, 3-pyrazolin-5-ones,
3-isooxazolin-5-ones or rings of the type indicated below.

[0141] An R
73 group, an R
73O- group, an

group, an

group and an R
71S- group are preferred examples of V
10.
[0142] R
71 and R
72 in the description above represent aliphatic groups, aromatic groups or heterocyclic
groups, and R
73, R
74 and R
7s represent hydrogen atoms, aliphatic groups, aromatic groups or heterocyclic groups.
Here aliphatic groups, aromatic groups and heterocyclic groups have the same meaning
as described earlier in connection with R
41. However, the total number of carbon atoms contained in these groups is preferably
not more than 10.
[0143] The groups indicated below are typical examples of groups which can be represented
by general formula (V).
[0148] Groups which can be represented by general formula (IX) below are preferred when
the groups represented by L
1 and L
2 in general formula (I') are groups which become redox groups.
General Formula (IX)
[0149]

[0150] In this formula, indicates the position at which the group is bonded on the left
hand side in general formula (I), A'
2, P', Q and n have the same meaning as A
2, P, Q and n respectively as described in connection with general formula (II), at
least one of the n individual X groups and n individual Y groups represents a methine
group which has -(L
2)-Z or Z as a substituent group and the other X and Y groups are substituted or unsubstituted
methine groups or nitrogen atoms. Cases in which any two substituent groups of A
2, P', Q', X and Y are divalent groups and a ring structure is formed are also included
here. Ring structures of this type are for example benzene rings or pyridine rings.
[0151] P in general formula (IX) preferably represents an oxygen atom and Q preferably represents
an oxygen atom or one of the groups indicated below. Here, indicates the free bond
which is bonded to (X =Y')
n' and ** indicates the free bond which is bonded to A'
2.

[0152] In these formulae, G' has the same meaning as G described in connection with general
formulae (N-1) and (N-2).
[0153] Q is most desirably an oxygen atom or a group which can be represented by
[0154]

[0155] The groups which, can be represented by the general formulae (X) and (XI) below are
especially desirable among the groups which can be represented by the general formula
(IX).
General Formula (X)
[0156]

General Formula (XI)
[0157]

[0158] In these formulae, indicates the position of the bonding on the left hand side L
1 or L
2 in general formula (I) and ** indicates the position of the bonding on the right
hand side. R
76 has the same meaning as R
64 described in connection with general formula (III) or general formula (IV). Moreover,
y represents an integer of 0 to 3, and when y is two or more the R
76 groups may be the same or different. Furthermore, cases in which two R
76 groups are linked together and form a ring structure are also included.
[0159] The groups indicated below are especially desirable examples of R
T6. That is to say alkoxy groups (for example a methoxy group, an ethoxy group etc.),
acylamino groups (for example an acetamido group, a benzamido group etc.), sulfonamido
groups (for example a methanesulfonamido group, a benzenesul- fonamido group etc.),
alkylthio groups (for example a methylthio group, an ethylthio group etc.), carbamoyl
groups (for example an N-propylcarbamoyl group, an N-t-butylcarbamoyl group, an N-iso-propylcarbamoyl
group etc.), alkoxycarbonyl groups (for example a methoxycarbonyl group, a propoxycarbonyl
group etc.), aliphatic groups (for example a methyl group, a t-butyl group etc.),
halogen atoms (for example a fluoro group, a chloro group etc.), sulfamoyl groups
(for example an N-propylsulfamoyl group, a sulfamoyl group etc.), acyl groups (for
example an acetyl group, a benzoyl group etc.), a hydroxyl group and a carboxyl group.
Furthermore, a typical example of a case in which two R
76 groups are linked together and a ring structure is formed is shown below: (here and
have the same meaning as described in connection with general formula (XI).

[0160] The group which is represented by Z in general formula (I') is a known bleach accelerating
agent residual group. For example, it may be one of a variety of mercapto compounds
as disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,893,858, British Patent No. 1,138.842 or in Japanese
Patent Application (OPI) No. 141623/78, a compound which has a disulfide bond as disclosed
in Japanese Patent Application (OPI) No. 95630/78, a thiazolidine derivative as disclosed
in Japanese Patent Publication No. 9854/78, an iso-thiourea derivative as disclosed
in Japanese Patent Application (OPI) No. 94927
/78, a thiourea derivative as disclosed in Japanse Patent Publication No. 8506/70 or
26586/74, a thioamido compound as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application (OPI) No.
42349/74, a dithiocarbamic acid salt as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application (OPI)
No. 26506,80, or an arylenediamine compound as disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,552,834.
Those of these compounds in which the A-(L
1)
a-(L
2)
b- group in general formula (I') is bonded to a substitutable hetero atom which is
contained in the molecule are preferred.
[0161] The group represented by Z is most desirably a group which can be represented by
general formula (XII), (XIII) or (XIV) below.
General Formula (XII)
[0162]

General Formula (XIII)
[0163]

General Formula (XIV)
[0164]

[0165] In these formulae, indicates the position of bonding with A-(L
1)
a-(L
2)
b-, R
31 represents a divalent aliphatic group which has from 1 to 8, and preferably from
1 to 5, carbon atoms, R
32 represents a group which has the same meaning as R
31, a divalent aromatic group which has from 6 to 10 carbon atoms or a three to eight
membered, and preferably a five or six membered, divalent heterocyclic group, X
1 represents an -O- group, a -S- group, a -COO- group, a -S0
2- group,

group, a

group, a

group, a

group, a

group, a

group, a

group, a

group or an

group,
[0166] X
2 represents an aromatic group which has from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, X
3 represents a three to eight membered, and preferably a five or six membered, heterocyclic
group which has at least one carbon atom which is bonded to sulfur within the ring,
Y, represents a carboxyl group or a salt thereof, a sulfo group or a salt thereof,
a hydroxyl group, a phosphonic acid group or a salt thereof, an amino group (this
may be substituted with aliphatic group(s) which have 1 to 4 carbon atoms), an -NHS0
2-R
35 group or an -SO
2NH-R
35 group (here the term salt signifies a salt such as a sodium salt, a potassium salt,
an ammonium salt etc.), Y
2 represents a group having the same meaning as those described for Y, or a hydrogen
atom, r represents 0 or 1, t represents an integer of 0 to 4, m represents an integer
of 1 to 4 and u represents an integer of 0 to 4. Furthermore, the m individual Y groups
are bonded at each of the substitutable positions of R
3, {(X
1)
r-R32}ℓ, X
2 {(X
1)
r-R
32}ℓ, and X
3{(X
1)
r-R
32}ℓ, and when m is two or more the m individual Y
1 groups may be the same or different, and when t is two or more the t individual {(X
1)
r-R
32} groups may be the same or different. Here R
33, R
34 and R
35 each represent a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic group which has from 1 to 8, and preferably
from 1 to 5, carbon atoms. When R
31 to R
3s represent aliphatic groups they may be chain form or cyclic, linear chain or branched,
saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic groups. Unsubstituted
groups are preferred but they may have for example halogen atoms; alkoxy groups (for
example methoxy groups, ethoxy groups), alkylthio groups (for example methylthio groups,
ethylthio groups) etc. as substituent groups.
[0167] The aromatic groups represented by X
2 and the aromatic group when R
32 represents an aromatic group may have substituent groups. For example, they may have
the aforementioned substituents cited as aliphatic group substituent groups.
[0168] The heterocyclic groups represented by X
3 and the heterocyclic groups when R
2 represents a heterocyclic group are saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted
heterocyclic groups which have oxygen atoms, sulfur atoms or nitrogen atoms as the
hetero atoms. For example, they may be pyridine rings, imidazole rings, piperidine
rings, oxylane rings, suforane rings, imidazolidine rings, thiazipine rings or pyrazole
rings. The aforementioned groups cited as aliphatic group substituent groups may also
be substituent groups in this case.
[0172] The compounds which can be represented by general formula (I') of this invention
also include dimers, telomers and polymers. For example, in the case of polymers there
are polymers derived from monomers represented by general formula (XV) and which have
a repeating unit which can be represented by general formula (XVI), and copolymers
with at least one type of non-color forming monomer which contains at least one ethylenic
group which has no capacity for coupling with the oxidized product of a primary aromatic
amine developing agent. Here, two or more monomers which can be represented by general
formula (XV) can be polymerized at the same time.
General Formula (XV)
[0173]

General Formula (XVI)
[0174]

[0175] In these formulae, R represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group which has from
1 to 4 carbon atoms or a chlorine atom, A
11 represents -CONH-, -NHCONH-, -NHCOO-, -COO-, -S0
2-, -CO-, -NHCO-, -SO
2NH-, -NHSOz-, -OCO-, -OCONH-, -NH- or -O-, A
1 represents -CONH- or -COO-, and A
13 represents an unsubstituted or substituted alkyline group, an aralkylene group or
an unsubstituted or substituted arylene group, which has from 1 to 10 carbon atoms,
and the alkylene groups may be either linear chain or branched. (Examples of alkylene
groups include methylene groups, methylmethylene groups, dimethyl- methylene groups,
dimethylene groups, trimethylene groups, tetramethylene groups, pentamethylene groups,
hexamethylene groups, decylmethylene groups, the aralkylene groups include for example
benzylidene groups, and arylene groups include for example phenylene group, naphthylene
group etc.).
[0176] QQ represent the residual groups of compounds which can be represented by general
formula (I') and these can be bonded at any position, excluding the group which is
represented by Z, of the substituent groups described previously.
[0177] Moreover, i. j and k represent 0 or 1 but i, j and k cannot all be 0 at the same
time.
[0178] The substituents for the alkylene groups, aralkylene groups and arylene groups which
can be represented by A
3 include aryl groups (for example phenyl groups), nitro groups, hydroxyl groups, cyano
groups, sulfo groups, alkoxy groups (for example methoxy groups), aryloxy groups (for
example phenoxy groups), acyloxy groups (for example acetoxy groups), acylamino groups
(for example acetylamino groups), sulfonamido groups (for example methanesulfonamido
groups), sulfamoyl groups (for example methylsulfamoyl groups), halogen atoms (for
example fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, bromine atoms etc.), carboxyl groups, carbamoyl
groups (for example methylcarbamoyl groups), alkoxycarbonyl groups (for example methoxycarbonyl
groups) and sulfonyl groups (for example methylsulfonyl groups). When there are two
or more of these substituent groups they may be the same or different.
[0179] The non-color forming ethylenic monomer which does not undergo a coupling reaction
with the oxidation products of a primary aromatic amine developing agent may be acrylic
acid, a-chloroacrylic acid, an a-alkylacrylic acid or an ester or amide derived from
these acrylic acids, methylenebisacrylamide, a vinyl ester, acrylonitrile, an aromatic
vinyl compound, a maleic acid derivative or a vinylpyridine etc. Two or more types
of the non-color forming ethylenic unsaturated monomers used here can be used at the
same time.
[0180] Cases in which any two of the groups represented by A, Li, L
2 and Z in general formula (I') have free bonds other than the free bonds indicated
in general formula (I') are included in the invention. The effect of the invention
can be obtained even if the second free bond is not broken during development. Examples
of these free bonds are indicated below.

[0181] The most desirable examples of the above mentioned forms are those which can be represented
by general formula (XVII) below.
General Formula (XVII)
[0182]

[0183] In this formula. L
2, b, Z, R
58 and R
59 have the same meaning as described before, h and v each represent 0 or 1, and A
14 represents a divalent organic residual group which forms a five to eight membered
ring.
[0184] Examples of A
14 include an

group, a

group, a 121

group, a

group, and a

group etc.
[0185] Actual examples of compounds which release a bleach accelerator which can be used
in the invention are indicated below, but the invention is not limited to these compounds.
[0187] The compounds disclosed in Research Disclosure Item Nos. 24241 and 11449, Japanese
Patent Application (OPI) No. 201247/86 and Japanese Patent Application Nos. 252847/86,
268870/86 and 268871,86 can also be used in the same way.
[0188] Furthermore, the bleach accelerating agent releasing compounds which are used in
the invention can be prepared easily on the basis of the disclosures made in the above
mentioned patent specifications.
[0189] The amount of the bleach accelerating agent releasing compound of this invention
added to the photosensitive material is preferably from 1 x 10
-7 mol to 1 x 10
-1 mol, and most desirably from 1 x 10-
6 mol to 5 x 10
-2 mol, per square meter of photosensitive material. The bleach accelerating agent releasing
compounds of this invention can be added to all of the layers of a photosensitive
material, but they are preferably added to the photosensitive emulsion layers, and
the effect becomes more pronounced as they are added to more of the photosensitive
emulsion layers. When they are added to a non-photosensitive layer, a side effect
such as decrease in sensitivity may be lessened.
[0190] The silver halide color photographic materials with which the invention can be used
are described below. Any silver halide, such as silver bromide, silver iodobromide,
silver chlorobromide, silver chloroiodobromide, silver chloride or silver chloroiodide,
can be used in the emulsion layers of the photosensitive material, but the use of
silver iodobromide is especially desirable. When silver iodobromide is used the silver
iodide content is normally not more than 40 mol%, preferably not more than 20 mol%.
[0191] The above mentioned silver halide grains may be so-called regular grains which have
a regular crystalline form such as a cubic, octahedral or tetradecahedral form, or
they may have an irregular form such as a spherical form or they may have crystal
defects such as twin crystal planes, or alternatively they may have a complex form
consisting of these forms. Furthermore, mixtures of grains which have various crystalline
forms can also be used.
[0192] The above mentioned silver halides may be mono-disperse emulsions which have a narrow
distribution or poly-disperse emulsions which have a wide distribution.
[0193] Furthermore, tabular grains which have an aspect ratio of at least 5 can also be
used in the above mentioned emulsion layers.
[0194] The crystal structure of the above mentioned emulsion grains may be uniform, or the
inner parts and outer parts of the grains may consist of materials which have different
halogen compositions and the grains may have a layered structure. These emulsion grains
have been disclosed in British Patent 1,027,146, U.S. Patents 3,505,068 and 4,444,877,
and in Japanese Patent Application (OPI) No. 143331/85 etc. Furthermore, the silver
halides which have different compositions can be joined with an epitaxial junction
and, moreover, they can be joined with compounds other than silver halides, such as
silver thiocyanate, lead oxide etc.
[0195] The above mentioned emulsions may be of the surface latent image type where the latent
image is formed principally on the surface, or of the internal latent image type where
the latent image is formed within the grains, or of the type where the latent image
is formed both at the surface and within the grains. Furthermore, the grains may be
of the type where the interior of the grain has been chemically sensitized.
[0196] The silver halide photographic emulsions which can be used with the invention can
be prepared conveniently using the known methods, and they can be prepared for example
in accordance with the methods disclosed in "I. Emulsion Manufacture (Emulsion Preparation
and Types)", on pages 22 to 23 of Research Disclosure Vol. 176, No. 17643 (December
1978), and on page 648 of Research Disclosure, Vol. 187, No. 18716 (November 1979).
[0197] Various silver halide solvents (for example ammonia, potassium thiocyanate or the
thione compounds and thioethers disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,271,157, Japanese Patent
Application (OPI) Nos. 12360/76, 82408,78, 144319
178, 100717:79 or 155828/79) can be used, as required, in the preparation of the photographic
emulsions of this invention.
[0198] Emulsions of a kind which contain silver halide grains of which the average grain
diameter is greater than 0.1 micron and in which at least 95 wt% of the grains are
within ±40% of the average grain diameter are typical of the mono-disperse emulsions.
Emulsions in which the average grain diameter is from 0.25 to 2 microns, and in which
at least 95 wt% or 95% of the silver halide grains (in terms of the number of grains)
is/are within t20% of the average grain diameter, can be used in the invention.
[0199] Cadmium salts, zinc salts, lead salts, thallium salts, iridium salts or complex salts
thereof, rhodium salts or complex salts thereof, and iron salts or complex salts thereof
etc. may be present during the formation or physical ripening of the silver halide
grains.
[0200] The emulsions which are used in the invention are normally used after carrying out
chemical ripening and spectral sensitization after physical ripening. The additives
used in such processes have been disclosed in Research Disclosure Nos. 17643 (December
1978) and 18716 (November 1979), and the locations in the said disclosures are indicated
in the table below.
[0201] Known additives for photographic purposes which can be used in the invention have
also been disclosed in the two Research Disclosures mentioned above, and the locations
in these disclosures are indicated in the following table.

[0202] The known, previously described, spectral sensitizing agents can be used in the color
photographic materials of this invention, but the use of compounds represented by
general formulae (IV) or (V) in the disclosure on pages 90 to 110 of the specification
of Japanese Patent Application No. 313598/86 and the actual examples of these compounds
is preferred in the processing method of this invention.
[0203] Various color couplers can be used in addition to the aforementioned cyan image forming
couplers of formula (A) in this invention and actual examples are disclosed in the
patents disclosed in the aforementioned Research Disclosure (RD) No. 17643, VII-C
to G. The couplers which form the three primary colors of the subtractive method (which
is to say yellow, magenta and cyan) on color development are important as dye forming
couplers, and as well as the couplers which have been disclosed in the patents disclosed
in sections VII-C and D of the aforementioned RD 17643 which are actual non-diffusible
four equivalent or two equivalent couplers. Those indicated below are preferably used
in this invention.
[0204] The known oxygen atom elimination type yellow couplers or nitrogen atom elimination
type yellow couplers are typical of the yellow couplers which can be used. The a-pivaloylacetanilide
based couplers provide colored dyes which have excellent fastness, especially light
fastness, while the a-benzoylacetanilide based couplers provide high color densities.
[0205] Hydrophobic 5-pyrazolone based and pyrazoloazole based magenta couplers, with ballast
groups, can be used in the invention. 5-Pyrazolone based couplers which have an arylamino
group or an acylamino group substituted in the 3-position are preferred from the point
of view of the hue of the colored dye which is formed, and the color density.
[0206] Non-diffusible, hydrophobic, naphthol based and phenol based cyan couplers can be
also used in the invention, and typically the two equivalent naphthol based couplers
of the oxygen atom elimination type are preferred. Furthermore, the use of couplers
which can form cyan dyes which are fast with respect to humidity and temperature is
preferred, and typical examples include the phenol based cyan couplers which have
an alkyl group consisting of an ethyl or larger group in the meta position of the
phenol ring as disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,772,002, the 2,5-diacylamino substituted
phenol based couplers, and the phenol based couplers which have a phenylureido group
in the 2-position and a diacylamino group in the 5- position.
[0207] Graininess can be improved by the conjoint use of couplers of which the colored dye
has a suitable degree of diffusibility. Actual examples of magenta couplers of this
type have been disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,366,237 etc. and actual examples of yellow,
magenta and cyan couplers of this type have been disclosed in European Patent 96,570
etc.
[0208] The dye forming couplers and the above mentioned special couplers may take the form
of polymers consisting of at least dimers. Typical examples of polymerized dye forming
couplers are disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,451,820 etc. Actual examples of polymerized
magenta couplers have been described in U.S. Patent 4,367,282 etc.
[0209] The use of couplers which release photographically useful residual groups as a result
of coupling is preferred in this invention. The DIR couplers which release development
inhibitors disclosed in the patents disclosed in the aforementioned RD 17643, section
Vil-F, are useful.
[0210] Couplers which release a nucleating agent or development inhibitor, or precursors
thereof, in the form of the image during development can be used in the photosensitive
materials of this invention. Actual examples of such compounds have been disclosed
in British Patents 2,097,140 and 2,131,188. Use can also be made of the DIR redox
compound releasing couplers disclosed in Japanese Patent Application (OPI) No. 185950
/85 etc. and the couplers which release dyes which are recolored after elimination
as disclosed in European Patent 173,302A, etc.
[0211] The couplers which are used in the invention can be introduced into the photosensitive
material using a variety of known dispersion methods. Examples of high boiling point
organic solvents which can be used in the oil in water dispersion method have been
disclosed in U.S. Patent 2,322,027 etc. Furthermore, actual examples of the process
and effect of the latex dispersion method and latexes for impregnation have been disclosed
in U.S. Patent 4,199,363 and West German Patent Application (OLS) 2,541,274 and 2,541,230
etc.
[0212] The photosensitive materials of this invention may also contain hydroquinone derivatives,
aminophenol derivatives, amines, gallic acid derivatives, catechol derivatives, ascorbic
acid derivatives, colorless couplers, sulfonamidophenol derivatives etc. as anti-color
fogging agents and anti-color mixing agents.
[0213] The known anti-fading agents can be used in the photosensitive materials of this
invention. Typical examples of known anti-fading agents include hydroquinones, 6-hydroxychromans,
5-hydroxycoumarin, spirochromans, p-alkoxyphenols, hindered phenols centered on bisphenols,
gallic acid derivatives, methylenedioxybenzenes, aminophenols, hindered amines and
ether and ester derivatives obtained by silylating or alkylating the phenolic hydroxyl
groups of these compounds. Furthermore, metal complexes typified by the (bis-salicylaldoxy
mato)nickel complex and the (bis-N,N-dialkyldithiocarbamato)nickel complex can also
be used.
[0214] The photographic emulsion layers and other layers are coated onto a flexible support,
such as a plastic film as normally used for photographic materials.
[0215] A variety of known coating methods such as the dip coating method, roller coating
method, curtain coating method, extrusion coating method etc. can be used for coating
the photographic emulsion layers and other hydrophilic coating layers.
[0216] The invention can be applied to a variety of color photographic materials. Typical
examples of such materials include general purpose and projection color negative films,
color reversal films for slides and television purposes, color papers, color positive
films and color reversal papers etc.
[0217] The color development baths used for the color development of the photosensitive
materials of this invention are alkaline aqueous solutions which contain a primary
aromatic amine based color developing agents as the principal component. Aminophenol
based compounds are useful as color developing agents but the use of p-phenylenediamine
based compounds is preferred, and typical examples of these include 3-methyl-4-amino-N,N-diethylaniline,
3-methyl-4-amino-N-ethyl-N-p-hydroxyethylaniline, 3-methyl-4-amino-N-ethyl-N-β-methanesulfonamidoethyl
aniline. 3-methyl-4-amino-N-ethyl-N-p-methoxyethylaniline and their sulfates. hydrochlorides,
phosphates or p-toluenesulfonates, tetraphenylborates, p-(t-octyl)benzenesulfonates
etc. These diamines are generally more stable as salts than in the free state and
the use of the salts is preferred.
[0218] Aminophenol based derivatives include for example o-aminophenol, p-aminophenol, 4-amino-2-methylphenol,
2-amino-3-methylphenol and 2-oxy-3-amino-1,4-dimethylbenzene etc.
[0219] Those described on pages 226 to 229 of "Photographic Processing Chemistry", by, L.F.A.
Mason, published by Focal Press (1966), and those disclosed in U.S. Patents 2,193,015
and 2,592,364 and in Japanese Patent Application (OPI) No. 64933;73 etc. can also
be used. Combinations of two or more of the above mentioned color developing agents
can be used as required..
[0220] The color development bath may contain pH buffers such as the carbonates, borates
or phosphates of alkali metals; development inhibitors or anti-foggants such as bromides,
iodides, benzimidazoles, ben- zothiazoles and mercapto compounds; preservatives such
as hydroxylamine, triethanolamine, the compounds disclosed in West German Patent Application
(OLS) 2,622,950, sulfites and bisulfites; organic solvents such as diethylene glycol;
development accelerators such as benzyl alcohol, poly(ethylene glycol), quaternary
ammonium salts, amines, thiocyanates. 3,6-thiaoctan-1,8-diol; dye forming couplers;
competitive couplers; nucleating agents such as sodium borohydride; auxiliary developing
agents such as 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone; viscosity imparting agents; and chelating
agents, such as the aminopolycarboxylic acids typified by ethylenediamine tetra-acetic
acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, cyclohexanediamine tetra-acetic acid, iminodiacetic acid,
N-hydroxymethylethylenediamine triacetic acid, diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid,
triethylenetetramine hexa-acetic acid, and the compounds disclosed in Japanese Patent
Application (OPI) No. 195845
/83, 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1'-diphosphonic acid, the organic phosphonic acids disclosed
in Research Disclosure No. 18170 (May 1979), aminophosphonic - acids such as amino-tris-(methylenephosphonic
acid), ethylenediamine-N,N,N',N'-tetramethylenephosphonic acid etc., and the phosphonocarboxylic
acids disclosed in Research Disclosure No: 18170 (May 1979), etc.
[0221] The color developing agents is generally used at a concentration of from about 0.1
gram to about 30
: grams, and preferably at a concentration of from about 1 gram to about 15 grams,
per liter of color development bath. Furthermore the pH of the color development bath
is normally about 7 or more and a pH from about 9 to 13 is generally used.
[0222] In this invention, the silver halide color photographic material is subjected to
a color development process of the type described after imagewise exposure, and it
is then processed in a processing bath which has a bleaching potential.
[0223] The processing bath which has a bleaching potential is a processing bath which has
the capacity to convert, by means of oxidation, the metallic silver produced by the
development reaction and the colloidal silver which is contained in the sensitive
material to a soluble silver salts such as a silver thiosulfate complex salt or to
an insoluble silver salt such as silver bromide, being for example a bleach bath or
a bleach-fix bath. Processing in a processing bath which has a bleach-fixing potential
immediately after the color development process is preferred in this invention.
[0224] Oxidizing agents such as ferric iron complex salts such as ferricyanide iron complex
salts, ferric citrate complex salts etc. and oxidizing substances such as persulfates,
hydrogen peroxide etc., can be used as the bleaching agents which are used in the
processing baths which have a bleaching potential of this invention, but the aminopolycaroxylic
acid ferric iron complex salts, consisting of ferric ions and aminopolycarboxylic
acid, or salts thereof are preferred.
[0225] Typical examples of these aminopolycarboxylic acids and salts thereof are indicated
below.
1. Diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid
2. Diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid penta-sodium salt
3. Ethylenediamine-N-(β-oxyethyl)-N,N',N'-triacetic acid
4. Ethylenediamine-N-(β-oxyethyl)-N,N',N'-triacetic acid tri-sodium salt
5. Ethylenediamine-N-(β-oxyethyl)-N,N',N'-triacetic acid tri-ammonium salt
6. 1,2-diaminopropane tetra-acetic acid
7. 1,2-diaminopropane tetra-acetic acid di-sodium salt
8. Nitrilotriacetic acid
9. Nitrilotriacetic acid sodium salt
10. Cyclohexanediamine tetra-acetic acid
11. Cyclohexanediamine tetra-acetic acid di-sodium salt
12. N-methyl-iminodiacetic acid
13. Iminodiacetic acid
14. Dihydroxyethylglycine
15. Ethyl ether diamine tetra-acetic acid
16. Glycol ether diamine tetra-acetic acid
17. Ethylenediamine tetra-propionic acid
18. 1,3-diaminopropane tetra-acetic acid
19. Ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid.
[0226] Of course, these acids and salts are not limited to the illustrative examples indicated
above.
[0227] Of these compounds, those numbered 1, 2, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 16 and 18 are especially
desirable.
[0228] The aminocarboxylic acid ferric complex salts can be used in the form of the complex
salt, or the ferric ion complex salts can be formed in solution using for example
ferric sulfate, ferric chloride, ferric ammonium sulfate, ferric phosphate etc. and
the aminopolycarboxylic acid. When used in the form of a complex salt, either one
type of complex salt or two or more types of complex salt can be used. On the other
hand, when a complex salt is formed in solution using a ferric salt and an amino polycarboxylic
acid, it is possible to use one, or more than one, type of ferric salt. Moreover,
it is possible to use one, or more than one, type of aminopolycarboxylic acid. Furthermore,
in any case it is possible to use the aminopolycarboxylic acid in an amount in excess
of that required to form the ferric ion complex salt.
[0229] It is possible to use combinations of ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid iron (III)
complex salts with at least one type of iron (III) complex salt of the aminopolycarboxylic
acids other than number 19 indicated above.
[0230] Metal ion complex salts of cobalt, nickel, copper etc. as well as iron ions can be
introduced into the processing baths which have a bleaching potential which contain
the above mentioned ferric complex salts.
[0231] The amount of bleaching agent used is from 0.1 mol to 1 mol, and preferably from
0.2 mol to 0.5 mol, per liter of the processing bath which has a bleaching potential
of this invention. Furthermore, the pH of the bleach bath is preferably from 4.0 to
8.0 and most desirably from 5.0 to 7.5.
[0232] Re-halogenating agents such as bromides, for example potassium bromide, sodium bromide
and ammonium bromide, or chlorides, for example potassium chloride, sodium chloride
and ammonium chloride etc., can also be included as well as the bleaching agent and
the above mentioned compounds in the processing baths which have a bleaching potential
used in this invention. Moreover, the known additives normally used in bleach-fix
baths, for example nitrates such as sodium nitrate, ammonium nitrate etc. and one
or more type of inorganic acid, organic acid or salts thereof which have a pH buffering
potential such as boric acid, borax, sodium metaborate, acetic acid, sodium acetate,
sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, phosphorous acid, phosphoric acid, sodium phosphate,
citric acid, sodium citrate, tartaric acid etc. may also be added to the processing
bath.
[0233] In this invention, it is possible to include the compounds known as fixing agents,
for example the thiosulfates such as sodium thiosufate, ammonium thiosulfate, ammonium
sodium thiosufate and potassium thiosulfate, thiocyanates such as ammonium thiocyanate,
and potassium thiocyanate, thiourea, thioethers etc. in a fixing bath which is used
after the bleaching bath, or in a processing bath which has a bleach-fixing potential
etc. The amount of these fixing agents added is preferably not more than 3 mol, and
most desirably not more than 2 mol, per liter of the precessing bath which has a fixing
or bleach-fixing potential.
[0234] Sulfites or bisulfites such as sodium sulfate, ammonium sulfite etc. and so-called
sulfite ion releasing compounds, for example bisulfite adducts of aldehydes such as
carbonyl bisulfites etc., can be included in processing baths which have a bleach-fixing
potential of this invention for example.
[0235] Moreover, aminopolycarboxylic acid salts as indicated by Nos. 1 - 19 or organic phosphonic
acid compounds such as ethylenediamine tetrakis-methylenephosphonic acid, diethylenetriamine
pentakis- methylenephosphonic acid, 1,3-diaminopropane tetrakis-methylenephosphonic
acid, nitrilo-N,N,N-trimethylenephosphonic acid and l-hydroxyethyfidene-1,1 -diphosphonic
acid can also be included.
[0236] In this invention, the processing can be carried out by including at least one type
of bleach accelerating agent selected from among the compounds which have a mercapto
group or a disulfide bond, the iso-thiourea derivatives, and the thiazolidine derivatives
in the said processing bath which has a bleaching potential. These compounds are preferably
added in an amount of from 1 x 10
-5 mol to 1 x 10-
1 mol, and most desirably in an amount of from 1x10
-4mol to 5 x 1 0-2 mol, per liter of the said bath which has a bleach-fixing potential.
[0237] The bleach accelerating agent which is included in the said processing bath which
has a bleaching potential in this invention is selected from among the compounds which
have mercapto groups or disulfide bonds, the thiazolidine derivatives, the thiourea
derivatives and the isothio urea derivatives, provided that they have a bleach accelerating
effect. The compounds represented by general formula (a) to (g) and the actual examples
disclosed on pages 63 to 77 of the specification of Japanese Patent Application No.
313598.86 are preferred.
[0238] These compounds are generally pre-dissolved in water or an alkali, organic acid,
organic solvent etc. for addition to the processing bath, but they may be added directly
in the .form of a powder to the processing bath which has a bleaching potential, this
having no effect on the bleach accelerating effect.
[0239] Moreover, in this invention, a bleach accelerating agent can be included in the photosensitive
material. In this case, the bleach accelerating agent can be included in any of the
blue sensitive, green sensitive and red sensitive emulsion layers or in the gelatin
layers such as the uppermost layer, the intermediate layers and the lowermost layer.
[0240] The processing bath which has a bleach-fixing potential of the invention may be used
in a one tank process or it may be used for processing in two or more tanks, and replenisher
can be supplied with a multi-stage counterflow system to said tank group and, moreover,
the processing baths of said tank group may be circulated alternately to form a processing
bath which is uniform throughout, and the replenisher may be supplied to one of the
baths of said tank group.
[0241] . The silver halide color photographic materials of this invention are generally subjected
to a water washing and/or stabilization process after a de-silvering process such
as fixing or bleach-fixing.
[0242] The amount of wash water used in the water washing process can be set over a wide
range depending on the characteristics of the photosensitive material (for example
in accordance with the materials such as couplers which have been used) and the application
of the photosensitive material and, moreover, on the temperature of the water wash,
the number of water wash tanks (number of stages) and on whether a counter-flow or
sequential-flow replenishment system is being used and a variety of other conditions.
The relationship between the amount of water used and the number of washing tanks
in a multi-stage counter- flow system can be deduced using the method described on
pages 248 to 253 of Vol. 64 of the Journal of the Society of Motion Picture and Television
Engineers (May 1955).
[0243] The amount of wash water can be greatly reduced by using the multi-stage counter-flow
system described in the aforementioned reference, but problems can arise with bacterial
growth and the attachment of the suspended matter which is produced thereby on the
photosensitive material due to the increased residence time of the water in the tanks.
The method in which the calcium and magnesium contents are reduced disclosed in Japanese
Patent Application (OPI) No. 288838/87 as a means of overcoming problems -of this
type can be used very effectively in the processing of the color photosensitive materials
of this invention. Furthermore, the isothiazolene compounds and thiabendazoles disclosed
in Japanese Patent Application (OPI) No. 8542/82, chlorine based disinfectants such
as chlorinated sodium isocyanurate etc., benzotriazoles etc, and the disinfectants
disclosed by Horiguchi in "The Chemistry of Disinfectants and Fungicides", in the
Hygiene Technology Association publication entitled "Microbiological Disinfection,
Disinfection and Fungicidal Techniques" and in the Japanese Antibacterial and Antifungal
Society Publication entitled "A Dictionary of Biocides and Fungicides" can also be
used.
[0244] The pH of the wash water on processing photosensitive materials of this invention
is from 4 to 9, and preferably from 5 to 8. The wash water temperature and the washing
time can be set variously according to the characteristics and application of the
photosensitive material, but in general a washing time between 20 seconds and 10 minutes
at a temperature between 15°C and 45 C, and preferably between 30 seconds and 5 minutes
at a temperature between 25 C and 40 C, is selected.
[0245] Moreover, the photosensitive materials of this invention can be processed with a
direct stabilization bath instead of the above mentioned water washing treatment.
The known methods disclosed in Japanese Patent Application (OPI) Nos. 8543/82, 14834
/83, 184343/84. 220345185, 238832/85. 239784/85, 239749/85, 4054
/86 and 118749
/86 etc. can all be used for such a stabilization process. The use of stabilizing baths
which contain 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one,
bismuth compounds, ammonium compounds etc. is especially desirable.
[0246] Furthermore, there are also cases in which a stabilization process is carried out
following the aforementioned water washing process, and the stabilizing baths which
contain formaldehyde and a surfactant which are used as final baths for color photographic
materials for filming purposes can be used in such cases.
[0247] The invention is illustrated by means of examples below, but the invention is in
no way limited by these examples.
EXAMPLE 1
[0248] Sample 101, a multi-layer color photosensitive material consisting of the layers
of which the compositions are indicated below, was prepared on an undercoated cellulose
triacetate film support.
[0249] The amounts coated are indicated in units of grams of silver per square meter in
the case of the silver halides and colloidal silver, in units of gim
2 in the case of the couplers, additives and gelatin, and in units of mol per mol of
silver halide in the same layer in the case of the sensitizing dyes.
First Layer (Anti-halation Layer)
[0250]

Second Layer (Intermediate Layer)
[0251]

Third Layer (First Red Sensitive Emulsion Layer)
[0252] Silver iodobromide emulsion (Agl 2 mol%, high internal Agl content type, diameter
of the corresponding sphere 0.3 µ, variation coefficient of the corresponding sphere
diameter 29%, regular crystals, twinned crystal admixed grains, diameter/thickness
ratio 2.5) 0.4 (Coated silver weight).

Fourth Layer (Second Red Sensitive Emulsion Layer)
[0253] Silver iodobromide emulsion (Agl 5 mol%, high internal Agl content type, diameter
of the corresponding sphere 0.7 µ, variation coefficient of the corresponding sphere
diameter 25%, regular crystals, twinned crystal admixed grains, diameter/thickness
ratio 4) 0.7 (Coated silver weight)
[0254]

Fifth layer (Third Red Sensitive Emulsion Layer)
[0255] Silver iodobromide emulsion (Agl 10 mol%, high internal Agl content type, diameter
of the corresponding sphere 0.8 µ, variation coefficient of the corresponding sphere
diameter 16%, regular crystals, twinned crystal admixed grains, diameter thickness
ratio 1.3) 1.0 (Coated silver weight)

Sixth Layer (Intermediate Layer)
[0256]

Seventh Layer (First Green Sensitive Emulsion Layer)
[0257] Silver iodobromide emulsion (Agl 2 mol%, high internal Agl content type, diameter
of the corresponding sphere 0.3 µ, variation coefficient of the corresponding sphere
diameter 28%, regular crystals, twinned crystal admixed grains, diameter/thickness
ratio 2.5) 0.30 (Coated silver weight)
[0258]

Eighth Layer (Second Green Sensitive Emulsion Layer)
[0259] Silver iodobromide emulsion (Agl 4 mol%, high internal Agl content type, diameter
of the corresponding sphere 0.6 u, variation coefficient of the corresponding sphere
diameter 38%, regular crystals, twinned crystal admixed grains, diameter/thickness
ratio 4) 0.40 (Coated silver weight) Gelatin 0.5

Ninth Layer (Third Green Sensitive Emulsion Layer)
[0260] Silver iodobromide emulsion (Agl 6 mol%, high internal Agl content type, diameter
of the corresponding sphere 1.0 µ, variation coefficient of the corresponding sphere
diameter 80%, regular crystals, twinned crystal admixed grains, diameter/thickness
ratio 1.2) 0.85 (Coated silver weight)

) Tenth Layer (Yellow Filter Layer)
[0261]

Eleventh Layer (First Blue Sensitive Emulsion Layer
[0262] Silver iodobromide emulsion (Agl 4 mol%, high internal Agl content type, diameter
of the corresponding sphere 0.5 µ, variation coefficient of the corresponding sphere
diameter 15%, octahedral grains) 0.4 (Coated silver weight)
[0263]

Twelfth Layer (Second Blue Sensitive Emulsion Layer)
[0264] Silver iodobromide emulsion (Agl 10 mol%, high internal Agl content type, diameter
of the corresponding sphere 1.3 µ, variation coefficient of the corresponding sphere
diameter 25%, regular crystals, twinned crystal admixed grains, diameter/thickness
ratio 4.5) 0.5 (Coated silver weight) Gelatin 0.6

Thirteenth Layer (First Protective Layer)
[0265]

Fourteenth Layer (Second Protective Layer)
[0266]

[0267] Surfactant was added to each layer as a coating aid in addition to the components
indicated above. The sample prepared in this way was Sample 101.
[0269] The sample prepared in the way described above was Sample 101.
Preparation of Sample 102
[0270] Sample 102 was prepared in the same way as Sample 101 except that an amount of Comparative
Compound A, of which the structural formula is shown below, equimolar with the total
amount of ExC-3 and ExC-4 in Sample 101, was used in place of the ExC-3, ExC-4 added
to the third and fourth layers in Sample 101.
Comparative Compound A
[0271]

Preparation of Samples 103 to 110
[0272] Samples 103 to 110 were prepared in the same way as Sample 102 except that equimolar
amounts of compounds of this invention as indicated in Table 3 below were used in
place of Comparative Compound A and coupler ExC-6 in the fifth layer of Sample 102.
[0273] Samples 101 to 110 obtained were cut into strips of width 35 mm and then a standard
photographic subject was photographed and 500 m running tests were carried out using
the processing operations (I) and (II) described below, in Tables 1 and 2. On completion
of the running tests, Samples 101 to 110 were given a 20 CMS wedge exposure using
white light and processed using processing operations (I) and (II). The residual silver
contents were measured subsequently using the fluorescence X-ray method, and density
measurements were also made.

[0275] In the process described above the water wash (1), (2) and (3) was a counter-flow
system from (3) → - (2) → (1).

Water Wash Water
[0276] The three types indicated below were used.
(1) Town Water
[0277]

(2) lon Exchanged Water
[0278] The town water described above was treated with a strongly acidic cation exchange
resin (Na form) made by Mitsubishi Kasei Chemical Industries, Ltd. to provide the
water quality indicated below. Calcium 1.1 mgiliter Magnesium 0.5 mg
/liter pH 6.6
(3) Town Water with Added Chelating Agent
[0279] Ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid di-sodium salt was added to the aforementioned
town water at the rate of 500 mg/liter. pH 6.7
[0280] The samples were processed in these processing baths in accordance with the processing
operations outlined above.
[0281] The results obtained are shown in Table 3 below.
[0282] It is clear from the results shown in Table 3 above that the preferred, lower minimum
density (D
min) was obtained when the couplers of this invention were used rather than when cases
(Sample 104 to 110) in which a ureido-phenol type cyan coupler were used, both in
process (I) in which individual bleach and fixing baths were used, and in process
(II) in which a bleach-fix bath was used. In the case of process (II) which is a high
speed process, a good, almost constant minimum density was obtained using the couplers
of this invention, but there was a marked increase in the minimum density in the cases
where a ureidophenol type cyan coupler was used.
[0283] Moreover, on looking at the change in gradation of the cyan layer on adding 50 ppm
of ferric chloride in processing operation (II), it was found that there was no great
change with any of Samples 101 to 110.
[0284] It was clear that the amount of residual silver was not more than 30 mg/m
2 and prints with which there were no particular, practical problems were obtained.
[0285] The samples of this invention have a satisfactorily low residual silver content for
practical purposes and it is also known that the increase and fluctuation of D
min for magenta were small.
[0286] It is possible by means of this invention to obtain silver halide color photographic
materials which are superior in terms of the rapidity of de-silvering and which are
improved in terms of re-coloring properties and minimum image density.
[0287] While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments
thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications
can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.