FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a color photographic material excellent in sharpness
and color reproduction quality.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Hitherto, many studies have been made to improve the sharpness and the color reproduction
quality of color photographic materials. One of the techniques is the development
of couplers capable of releasing a development retarder (called DIR couplers). For
example, DIR couplers described, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,227,554, 3,701,783,
3,615,506, and 3,617,291, and JP-A ("JP-A" means unexamined published Japanese patent
application) No. 82423/1987 are known. In these couplers, the development retarder
released at the time of color development diffuses from the photographic material
into the processing solution and accumulates in the processing solution, which brings
about a problem that the processing solution exhibits a development-retarding effect.
To obviate this problem, such DIR couplers are required that can be decomposed into
a substantially photographically noninfluential compound after flowing into the color-
development processing solution. Examples of such DIR couplers are described, for
example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,477,563. These couplers were couplers that indeed did
not contaminate a color-developing solution and were suitable for a process wherein
the color-development processing solution was continuously used repeatedly. In particular,
malondianilide couplers, described in U.S. Patent No. 4,477,563 mentioned above, have
been used as DIR couplers because their coupling activity is high. However, their
use is accompanied by the defect that the color image obtained from a malondianilide
coupler is weakly resistant to humidity and heat. Particularly, if the amount of the
DIR coupler to be added is increased, the color image obtained from the DIR coupler
is required to be fast enough to retain the image density.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a highly sensitive color
photographic material excellent in sharpness and color reproduction quality which
contains a novel DIR coupler, whose dye produced by coupling with the oxidized product
of a color-developing agent is sufficiently fast, and which will not contaminate
development processing solutions.
[0004] Other and further objects, features, and advantages of the invention will appear
more fully from the following description.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The above objects have been attained by a silver halide color photographic material
wherein a compound represented by the formula (I) given below is contained in at least
one hydrophilic colloid layer formed on a support.

wherein R₁ represents a group of non-metallic atoms required to form a heterocyclic
group together with the

residue, R₂ represents an organic residue, and X represents a group of such a nature
that when the compound reacts with the oxidized product of an aromatic primary amine
developing agent, X splits off to act as a development retarder or a development retarder
precursor that will be decomposed into a substantially photographically noninfluential
compound after flowing into the color-developing solution.
[0006] Couplers represented by formula (I) used in the present invention will now be described
further in detail.
[0007] In formula (I), the heterocyclic group represented by

contains at least one nitrogen atom, with all the remaining atoms forming the ring
being carbon atoms, several (for example one or two) of which may be replaced with
hetero atoms, such as nitrogen atoms, oxygen atoms, or sulfur atoms. The thus formed
basic heterocyclic group is preferably a 5- to 7-membered group. The heterocyclic
group may have substituents or other condensed ring. These condensed rings may further
be substituted. Of the group represented by

preferable ones are group represented by formula (IIa), (IIb), (IIc), (IId):

wherein W represents N, O, or S; Q represents a group of nonmetallic atoms which
form a 5- to 7-membered ring together with W and -N=C; R₀ represents a substituent;
n is an integer of 0 to 2; T represents a carbonyl group or a sulfonyl group, T, Q,
and -N=C together form a 5- to 7- membered ring; at least one of Y₀ and Z₀ represents
N, otherwise being C; V₁ and V₂ each represent N or C; and when n is 2, two R₀'s each
may be the same or different, including either to form a ring together or not to form
a ring. The substituent represented by R₀ can be mentioned include, for example, a
halogen atom, an acyloxy group, a sulfonyloxy group, an alkyl group, a nitro group,
a cyano group, an acylamino group, and sulfonamido group. When two of R₀'s together
combine to form a ring, which represents a substituted or unsubstituted benzene ring
or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group.
[0008] Further, particularly preferable rings are rings represented by formula (III), (IV),
(V), (VI), (VII), and (VIII):

wherein Q₀ represents an substituted or unsubstituted 1,2-condensed benzene ring,
A represents a hydrogen atom, a monovalent group e.g.,{alkyl, alkoxyalkyl (e.g., methoxyethyl
and propoxyethyl) or halogenoalkyl (e.g., chloroethyl and bromopropyl) having preferably
1 to 20 carbon atoms, aralkyl (e.g., benzyl and phenethyl) having preferably 7 to
20 carbon atoms; or an aryl (e.g., phenyl, and a substituted phenyl, such as tosyl
and chlorophenyl) having preferably 6 to 20 carbon atoms}, and R represents a hydrogen
atom, or a substituent, such as an alkyl group having preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms
(e.g., methyl, ethyl, and dodecyl), an aryl group having preferably 6 to 20 carbon
atoms (e.g., phenyl and o-methylphenyl), a halogen atom (e.g., chlorine and fluorine),
an alkoxy group having preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms (e.g., methoxy and ethoxy),
an acylamino group having preferably 2 to 20 carbon atoms (e.g., benzamido and pivalylamido),
or an alkylthio group having preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms (e.g., methylthio and
dodecylthio).
[0009] R₂ in formula (I) represents an organic residue, which herein stands for a straight-chain
or branched, or chain or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted
aliphatic group (preferably having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, e.g., methyl, propyl, t-butyl,
trifluoromethyl, tridecyl, 3-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)propyl, 2-dodecyloxyethyl, 3-phenoxypropyl,
2-hexylsulfonylethyl, cyclopentyl and benzyl), an aryl group (preferably having 6
to 30 carbon atoms, e.g., phenyl, 4-t-butylphenyl and 4-tetradecaneamidophenyl),
a heterocyclic group (preferably a 5- to 7-membered ring, e.g., 2-furyl, 2-thienyl,
2-pyrimidyl, and 2-benzothiazolyl), an alkoxy group (preferably having 1 to 30 carbon
atoms, e.g., methoxy, ethoxy, 2-methoxyethoxy, 2-dodecyloxyethoxy, and 2-methanesulfonylethoxy),
an aryloxy group (preferably having 6 to 30 carbon atoms, e.g., phenoxy, 2-methylphenoxy,
and 4-t-butylphenoxy), a heterocyclic oxy group (preferably a 5- to 7-membered ring,
e.g., 2-benzimidazolyloxy), or a group

in which R₃ and R₄ each represent an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, a hydrogen
atom, or a heterocyclic group. The aliphatic group represented by R₃ and R₄ may be
straight-chain or branched, or chain or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated, substituted
or unsubstituted aliphatic group preferably having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, such as methyl,
propyl, isoamyl, trifluoromethyl, 3-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)propyl, 2-dodecyloxyethyl,
3-phenoxypropyl, and benzyl. The aromatic group represented by R₃ and R₄ includes
a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, whose substituent includes a halogen
atom (e.g., fluorine, chlorine and bromine), a straight-chain or branched, or chain
or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic group
(e.g., methyl, propyl, t-butyl, trifluoromethyl, tridecyl, 3-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)propyl,
2-dodecyloxyethyl, 3-phenoxypropyl, 2-hexylsulfonylethyl, cyclopentyl, and benzyl),
an aryl group (e.g., phenyl, 4-t-butylphenyl, and 4-tetradecaneamidophenyl), a heterocyclic
group (e.g., 2-furyl, 2-thienyl, 2-pyrimidyl, and 2-benzothiazolyl), a cyano group,
an alkoxy group (e.g., methoxy, ethoxy, 2-methoxyethoxy, 2-dodecyloxyethoxy, and
2-methanesulfonylethoxy), an aryloxy group (e.g., phenoxy, 2-methylphenoxy, and 4-t-butylphenoxy),
a heterocyclic oxy group (e.g., 2-benzimidazolyloxy), an acyloxy group (e.g., acetoxy
and hexadecanoyloxy), a carbamoyloxy group (e.g., N-ethylcarbamoyloxy), a silyloxy
group (e.g., trimethylsilyloxy), a sulfonyloxy group (e.g., dodecylsulfonyloxy), an
acylamino group (e.g., acetamido, benzamido, tetradecaneamido, α-(2,4-di-t- amylphenoxy)butylamido,
2,4-di-t-amylphenoxyacetamido, α-{4-(4-hydroxyphenylsulfonyl)phenoxy)}decaneamido,
and isopentadecaneamido), an anilino group (e.g., phenylamino, 2-chloroanilino, 2-chloro-5-tetradecaneamidoanilino,
2-chloro-5-dodecyloxycarbonylanilino, N-acetylanilino, and 2-chloro-5-{α-(2-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenoxy)dodecaneamido}
anilino), a ureido group (e.g., phenylureido, methylureido, and N,N-dibutylureido),
an imido group (e.g., N-succinimido, 3-benzylhydantoinyl, and 4-(2-ethylhexanoylamino)phthalimido),
a sulfamoylamino group (e.g., N,N-dipropylsulfamoylamino and N-methyl-N-decylsulfamoylamino),
an alkylthio group (e.g., methylthio, octylthio, tetradecylthio, 2-phenoxyethylthio,
3-phenoxypropylthio, and 3-(4-t-butylphenoxy)propylthio), an arylthio group (e.g.,
phenylthio, 2-butoxy-5-t-octylphenylthio, 3-pentadecylphenylthio, 2-carboxyphenylthio,
and 4-tetradecaneamidophenylthio), a heterocyclic thio group (e.g., 2-benzothiazolylthio),
an alkoxycarbonylamino group (e.g., methoxycarbonylamino and tetradecyloxycarbonylamino),
an aryloxycarbonylamino group (e.g., phenoxycarbonylamino and 2,4-di-tert-butylphenoxycarbonylamino),
a sulfonamido group (e.g., methanesulfonamido, hexadecane-sulfonamido, benzenesulfonamido,
p-toluenesulfonamido, octadecanesulfonamido, and 2-methyloxy-5-t-butylbenzenesulfonamido),
a carbamoyl group (e.g., N-ethylcarbamoyl, N,N-dibutylcarbamoyl, N-(2-dodecyloxyethyl)carbamoyl,
N-methyl-N-dodecylcarbamoyl, and N-{3-2,4-di-tert-amylphenoxy)propyl}carbamoyl),
an acyl group (e.g., acetyl, (2,4-di-tert-amylphenoxy)acetyl, and benzoyl), a sulfamoyl
group (e.g., N-ethylsulfamoyl, N,N-dipropylsulfamoyl, N-(2-dodecyloxyethyl)sulfamoyl,
N-ethyl-N-dodecylsulfamoyl, and N,N-diethylsulfamoyl), a sulfonyl group (e.g., methanesulfonyl,
octanesulfonyl, benzenesulfonyl, and toluenesulfonyl), a sulfinyl group (e.g., octanesulfinyl,
dodecylsulfinyl, and phenylsulfinyl), an alkoxycarbonyl group (e.g., methoxycarbonyl,
butyloxycarbonyl, dodecylcarbonyl, and octadecylcarbonyl), and an aryloxycarbonyl
group (e.g., phenyloxycarbonyl and 3-pentadecyloxycarbonyl).
[0010] The heterocyclic group represented by R₃ and R₄ is preferably a 5- to 6-membered
ring whose hetero atom is, for example, nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, and which preferably
contains 1 to 25 carbon atoms and may have a substituent (e.g., an alkyl, such as
methyl, isopropyl, and octyl; alkoxy, such as methoxy, isopropoxy and, octoxy; and
an alkoxycarbonyl, such as methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, and octoxycarbonyl).
[0011] In formula (I), preferably X is represented by formula (IX) in which X is linked
to a coupler residue A:

wherein A represents a coupler component excluding X in formula (I), Z represents
a basic part of a compound that exhibits a development-retarding effect and is linked
to the coupling position of the coupler directly (when a = 0), or through a linking
group L₁(when a = 1), Y is linked to Z through a linking group L₂, and represents
a substituent that will cause the development-retarding effect of Z to be exhibited,
the linking group represented by L₂ includes a chemical bond that will be severed
in the developing solution, a is 0 or 1, b is 1 or 2, and when b is 2, -L₂-Y's may
be the same or different.
[0012] The compound represented by formula (IX) will release
⊖Z-(L₂-Y)
b or
⊖L₁-Z-(L₂-Y)
b after it is coupled with the oxidized product of a color-developing agent. L₁ in
the
⊖L₁-Z-(L₂-Y)
b will immediately split off, and
⊖Z-(L₂-Y)
b is formed. The
⊖Z-(L₂-Y)
b diffuses in the photosensitive layer while exhibiting a development-retarding effect,
and part of it flows into the color-development processing solution. The
⊖Z-(L₂-Y) that has flowed into the processing solution decomposes quickly at the chemical
bond part in L₂, that is, the linkage between Z and Y is cleaved, leaving in the developing
solution a compound wherein a water-soluble group is attached to Z and whose developing-retarding
property is low. Hence the development-retarding effect substantially disappears.
[0013] As a result, a compound having a development-retarding effect will not accumulate
in the processing solution. Accordingly not only has it become possible to repeatedly
reuse the processing solution, it has also become possible to allow an adequate amount
of a DIR coupler to be contained in a photographic material.
[0014] As the basic part of the development retarder represented by Z can be mentioned a
divalent nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group or nitrogen-containing heterocyclic
thio group, such as a tetrazolylthio group, a benzthiazolylthio group, a benzimidazolylthio
group, a thiadiazolylthio group, an oxadiazolylthio group, a triazolylthio group,
and an imidazolylthio group. Examples are shown below in the formulae connecting with
A-(L₁)
a- group and -(L₂-Y)
b group.

[0015] In the above formulae, a substituent represented by X₁ is included in the part of
Z in formula (IX), and it preferably represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an
alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkaneamido group, an alkeneamido group, an alkoxy
group, a sulfonamido group, or an aryl group.
[0016] Examples of the group represented by Y in formula (IX) include an alkyl group, a
cycloalkyl group, an alkenyl group, a cycloalkenyl group, an aryl group, an aralkyl
group, or a heterocyclic group.
[0017] As the linking group represented by L in formula (IX) can be mentioned, for example,
the following,

wherein R₂₁ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl
group, an aralkyl group, an alkoxy group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an anilino group,
an acylamino group, a ureido group, a cyano group, a nitro group, a sulfonamido group,
a sulfamoyl group, a carbamoyl group, an aryl group, a carboxy group, a sulfo group,
a cycloalkyl group, an alkanesulfonyl group, an arylsulfonyl group, or an acyl group;
R₂₂ represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aralkyl group,
a cycloalkyl group, or an aryl group; n and ℓ each is 1 or 2, and when ℓ is 2, R₂₁
and R₂₁ may bond together to form a condensed ring.
[0018] In these DIR couplers (when a = 1 in formula (IX)), the split-off group that has
been released after the reaction with the oxidized product of a developing agent immediately
decomposes to release the development retarder (H-Z-(L₂-Y)
b). As a result, the effect of the DIR couplers is the same as that of a DIR coupler
without a group represented by L₁ (when a = 0 in formula (IX)).
[0019] The linking group represented by L₂ in formula (IX) includes a chemical bond that
will cleave in a developing solution.
[0020] Examples of such a chemical bond include those listed in the following Table. Since
those may be cleaved by a nucleophilic reagent, such as a hydroxy ion or hydroxylamine,
the effect of the present invention can be obtained.

[0021] The divalent linking group shown in the above Table is attached to Z, directly or
through an alkylene group and/or a phenylene group, and to Y directly. If the divalent
linking group is attached to Z through an alkylene group or a phenylene group, the
divalent group may contain, for example, an ether linkage, an amido linkage, a carbonyl
group, a thioether bond, a sulfone group, a sulfonamido linkage, and a urea bond.
[0022] As examples of the linking group represented by L₂, the following are preferable.
The substitution position of Z and the substitution position of Y are also shown.

wherein d is an integer of 0 to 10, preferably 0 to 5, W₁ represents a hydrogen atom,
a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 5 carbon
atoms, an alkaneamido group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 5 carbon
atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 5 carbon atoms,
an alkoxycarbonyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 5 carbon atoms,
an aryloxycarbonyl group, an alkanesulfonamido group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms,
preferably 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an aryl group, a carbamoyl group, an N-alkylcarbamoyl
group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a nitro group,
a cyano group an arylsulfonamido group, a sulfamoyl group, or an imido group, W₂ represents
a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an aryl group, or an alkenyl
group, W₃ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a nitro group, or an alkoxy
group or alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and p is an integer of 0 to 6.
[0023] The alkyl group or alkenyl group represented by X₁ and Y more particularly represents
a straight-chain, branched or cyclic alkyl group or alkenyl group having 1 to 10 carbon
atoms, preferably 1 to 5 carbon atoms, which preferably has a substituent, such as
a halogen atom, a nitro group, an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an aryloxy
group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkanesulfonyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms,
an arylsulfonyl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkaneamido group having 1 to
5 carbon atoms, an anilino group, a benzamido group, an alkyl-substituted carbamoyl
group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a carbamoyl group, an aryl-substituted carbamoyl
group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkylsulfonamido group having 1 to 4 carbon
atoms, an arylsulfonamido group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkylthio group having
1 to 4 carbon atoms, an arylthio group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, a phthalimido
group, a succinimido group, an imidazolyl group, a 1,2,4-triazolyl group, a pyrazolyl
group, a benztriazolyl group, a furyl group, a benzthiazolyl group, an alkylamino
group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkanoyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a
benzoyl group, an alkanoyloxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a benzoyloxy group,
a perfluoroalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a tetrazolyl group,
a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, a mercapto group, a sulfo group, an amino group,
an alkylsulfamoyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an arylsulfamoyl group having
6 to 10 carbon atoms, a morpholino group, an aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms,
a pyrrolidinyl group, a ureido group, a urethane group, an alkoxy-substituted carbonyl
group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an aryloxy-substituted carbonyl group having 6 to
10 carbon atoms, an imidazolydinyl group, or an alkylideneamino group having 1 to
6 carbon atoms.
[0024] The alkaneamido group or alkeneamido group represented by X₁ more particularly represents
a straight-chain, branched or cyclic alkaneamido group or alkeneamido group having
1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 5 carbon atoms, which may have a substituent,
such as those mentioned for the above alkyl group and alkenyl group.
[0025] The alkoxy group represented by X₁ more particularly represents a straight-chain,
branched, or cyclic alkoxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 5 carbon
atoms, which may have a substituent, such as those mentioned for the above alkyl group
and alkenyl group.
[0026] The aryl group represented by Y preferably represents a phenyl group or a naphthyl
group whose substituent is selected, for example, from such substituents as those
mentioned for the above alkyl group or alkenyl group, and an alkyl group having 1
to 4 carbon atoms.
[0027] The heterocylic group represented by Y is preferably a 5- to 7-membered heterocylic
group, such as a diazolyl group (e.g., 2-imidazolyl and 4-pyrazolyl), a triazolyl
group (e.g., 1,2,4-triazol-3-yl), a thiazolyl group (e.g., 2-benzothiazolyl), an oxazolyl
group (e.g., 1,3-oxazol-2-yl), a pyrrolyl group, a pyridyl group, a diazonyl group
(e.g., 1,4-diazin-2-yl), a triazinyl group (e.g., 1,2,4-triazin-5-yl), a furyl group,
a diazolinyl (e.g., imidazolin-2-yl), a pyrrolinyl group, and a thienyl group.
[0028] Of the couplers represented by formula (IX), useful ones are those represented by
the following formulae (X), (XI), (XII), (XIII), (XIV), (XV), and (XVI). These couplers
are preferable because their split development retarders are high in development-retarding
effect.

[0029] A, L₂, and Y in formulae (X) to (XVI) have the same meanings as those described for
formula (IX).
[0031] These compounds can be synthesized easily, for example, by a method wherein after
the active methylene of a compound represented by formula (XX):

wherein R₁ and R₂ have the same meanings as those for formula (I), is halogenated
in a general manner, XH, wherein X has the same meaning as that in formula (I), is
reacted in the presence of a base. In the case of a compound of formula (I) wherein
X is attached through a sulfur atom, the compound can be synthesized by reacting sulfenyl
chloride, XCℓ, which is obtained by interaction of XH with chlorine gas or sulfuryl
chloride, with a compound of formula (XX).
[0032] Typical Synthesis Examples of compounds of the present invention are given below.
[0033] Other compounds can also be produced in the same way as in the following Synthesis
Examples.

[0034] 3.0 g of compound (A) was dissolved in 30.0 mℓ of chloroform, and 2.2 g of bromine
was added dropwise thereto over 10 min. while being cooled with ice. After the reaction,
an aqueous saturated sodium carbonate solution was added thereto, the layers were
separated, and the procedure was repeated three times. After neutralizing, the chloroform
layer was dried with magnesium sulfate. After the magnesium sulfate was filtered off,
the filtrate was added dropwise to a solution of 3.3 g of compound (C) and 1.4 g of
triethylamine in 20 mℓ of dimethylformamide. After the reaction, 100 mℓ of hexane
and 100 mℓ of an aqueous 10 % hydrochloric acid solution were added thereto to effect
extraction. After neutralizing, the organic layer was distilled off under reduced
pressure, and 50 mℓ of isopropyl alcohol was added to the residue to carry out recrystallization.
After drying, the desired exemplified compound (1) was obtained in an amount of 3.4
g (yield: 65.0 %).

[0035] 10.0 g of compound (D) was dissolved in 100.0 mℓ of chloroform, and 3.2 g of bromine
was added dropwise thereto over 10 min. while being cooled with ice. After the reaction,
an aqueous saturated sodium carbonate solution was added thereto, the layers were
separated, and the procedure was repeated three times. After neutralizing, the chloroform
layer was dried with magnesium sulfate. After the drying, the magnesium sulfate was
filtered off, the filtrate was added dropwise to a solution of 4.8 g of compound (C)
and 2.0 g of triethylamine in 100 mℓ of dimethylformamide. After the reaction, 500
mℓ of hexane and 100 mℓ of an aqueous 10 % hydrochloric acid solution were added thereto
to effect extraction. After neutralizing, the organic layer was distilled off under
reduced pressure, and 100 mℓ of ethanol was added to the residue to carry out recrystallization,
thereby obtaining the desired exemplified compound (10) in an amount of 9.1 g (yield:
62.0 %).
[0036] Although the amount of the compound represented by formula (I) of the present invention
to be added varies depending on the structure of the compound or the application of
the compound, the amount preferably is 1 x 10⁻⁷ to 0.5 mol, more preferably 1 x 10⁻⁶
to 1 x 10⁻¹ mol, per mol of silver present in the same layer or in the adjacent layer.
[0037] The compound represented by formula (I) of the present invention may be used alone
or in combination with a known coupler in a certain layer. If the compound represented
by formula (I) of the present invention is used in combination with another color
image-forming coupler, the molar ratio of the present compound to the other color
image-forming coupler is from 0.1/99.9 to 90/10, preferably from 1/99 to 50/50.
[0038] The photographic material of the present invention may be one having, on a support,
at least one silver halide emulsion layer of at least a blue-sensitive layer, a green-sensitive
layer, and a red-sensitive layer, and there is no limit to the number and order of
the silver halide emulsion layers and the nonsensitive layers. As a typical example
can be mentioned a silver halide photographic material having on the support at least
one photosensitive layer consisting of several silver halide emulsion layers, whose
color sensitivites are substantially the same and whose photographic sensitivities
are different, the photosensitive layer being a unit photosensitive layer having a
color sensitivity to any one of blue light, green light, and red light, and in the
case of a multilayer silver halide color photographic material, the unit photosensitive
layers are arranged in such a manner that there are, on the support, a red-sensitive
layer, a green-sensitive layer, and then a blue-sensitive layer, in the order stated.
However, the order may be reversed according to the purpose, or the same color-sensitive
layers may have a different color-sensitive layer between them.
[0039] Nonsensitive layers, such as various intermediate layers, may be placed between said
silver halide photosensitive layers, or on the top or bottom layer of said silver
halide photosensitive layers.
[0040] Such intermediate layers may contain couplers, DIR compounds, etc., as described
in JP-A Nos. 43748/1986, 113438/1984, 113440/1984, 20037/1986, and 20038/1986, and
also color-mix inhibitors as used usually.
[0041] As each of the silver halide emulsion layers constituting respective unit photosensitive
layers, preferably use can be made of a two-layer constitution consisting of a high-speed
emulsion layer and a slow-speed emulsion layer, as described in West German Patent
No. 1,121,470 or British Patent No. 923,045. Generally it is preferable that the emulsion
layers are arranged in such an order that the sensitivities lower successively toward
the support, and it also is possible to provide a nonsensitive layer between the halogen
emulsion layers. As described in JP-A No. 112751/1982, 200350/1987, 206541/1987, and
206543/1987, it is possible to provide a slow-speed emulsion layer away from the support
and a high-speed emulsion layer near the support.
[0042] As a specific example can be mentioned an arrangement of a slow-speed blue-sensitive
layer (BL)/high-speed blue-sensitive layer (BH)/high-speed green-sensitive layer (GH)/slow-speed
green-sensitive layer (GL)/high-speed red-sensitive layer (RH)/slow-speed red-sensitive
layer (RL), with the slow-speed blue-sensitive layer (BL) being furthest from the
support, an arrangement of BH/BL/GL/GH/RH/RL with the BH being furthest from the base,
or an arrangement of BH/BL/GH/GL/RL/RH with the BH being furthest from the support.
[0043] As described in JP-B ("JP-B" means examined Japanese patent publication) No. 34932/1980,
an arrangement of a blue-sensitive layer/GH/RH/GL/RL with the blue-sensitive layer
being furthest from the support is also possible. As described in JP-A Nos. 25738/1981
and 63936/1987, an arrangement of a blue-sensitive layer/GL/RL/GH/RH with the blue
sensitive layer being furthest from the support is also possible.
[0044] Further, as described in JP-B No. 15495/1979, an arrangement of three layers having
different sensitivities on a support with the sensitivities being lowered toward the
support, that is, an arrangement including, on the support, a silver halide emulsion
layer highest in sensitivity as an upper layer, a silver halide emulsion layer as
an intermediate layer lower in sensitivity than that of the upper layer, and a silver
halide emulsion layer as a lower layer lower in sensitivity than that of the intermediate
layer, in the stated order, can be mentioned. In the case of such an arrangement of
three layers having different sensitivities, an arrangement of a medium-speed emulsion
layer/high-speed emulsion layer/slow-speed emulsion layer in the same color-sensitive
layer with the medium-speed emulsion layer being furthest from the support is possible,
as described in JP-A No. 202464/1984.
[0045] As stated above, various layer constitutions and arrangements may be chosen in accordance
with the purpose of the individual photographic material.
[0046] A preferable silver halide contained in the photographic emulsion of the photographic
material used in the present invention is silver bromoiodide, silver chloroiodide,
or silver bromochloroiodide containing about up to 30 mol % of silver iodide, with
silver bromoiodide or silver bromochloroiodide containing about 2 mol % to about 25
mol % of silver iodide particularly preferred.
[0047] The silver halide grains in the photographic emulsions may have a regular crystal
structure such as cubic, octahedral, or tetradecanhedral, an irregular crystal such
as spherical or tabular, a crystal having crystal defects such as twin planes, or
a thereof composite crystal structure.
[0048] The grain size of the silver halide may be fine grains having a diameter of about
0.2 µm or less, or coarse grains with the diameter of the projected area being down
to 10 µm, and a polydisperse emulsion or a monodisperse emulsion can be used.
[0049] The silver halide photographic emulsion for use in the present invention can be prepared
by the process described, for example, in
Research Disclosure (RD) No. 17343 (December, 1987), pp. 22 - 23, "
I. Emulsion Preparation and Types";
ibid. No. 18716 (November, 1979), p. 648; P.Glafkides,
Chemie et Phisique Photographique (Paul Montel, 1967); G.F. Duffin,
Photographic Emulsion Chemistry (Focal Press, 1966); or V.L. Zelikman, et al.,
Making and Coating Photographic Emulsion (Focal Press, 1964).
[0050] A monodisperse emulsion described, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,574,628 and
3,655,394, and British Patent No. 1,413,748 is also preferably.
[0051] Tabular grains having an aspect ratio of 5 or more can be used in the present invention.
Tabular grains may be easily prepared by suitably using the methods described, for
example, in Gutoff :
Photographic Science and Engineering, Vol. 14, pp. 248 - 257 (1970) : U.S. Patent Nos. 4,434,226, 4,414,310, 4,433,048,
and 4,439,520; and British Patent No. 2,112,157.
[0052] The crystal structure may be uniform, the outer halogen composition may be different
from the inner halogen composition, or the crystal structure may be layered. The halide
composition may be joined by the epitaxial joint to a different silver halide composition
or a compound other than silver halides, for example, silver rhodanide or lead oxide,
is jointed.
[0053] Further, a mixture of different crystal structures can be used.
[0054] Generally, the emulsion to be used in the present invention may be physically ripened,
chemically ripened, and spectrally sensitized. Additives to be used in these steps
are described in
Research Disclosure Nos. 17643 and 18716, and the involved sections are listed in the Table below.
[0055] Known photographic additives that can be used in the present invention are also described
in the above-mentioned two Research Disclosures, and the involved sections are listed
in the same Table.
Additive |
RD 17643 |
RD 18716 |
1 |
Chemical sensitizer |
p. 23 |
p. 648 (right column) |
2 |
Sensitivity-enhancing agents |
ditto |
ditto |
3 |
Spectral sensitizers, Supersensitizers |
pp. 23-24 |
pp. 648 (right column) -649 (right column) |
4 |
Brightening agents |
p. 24 |
- |
5 |
Antifogging agents and Stabilizers |
pp. 24-25 |
p. 648 (right column) |
6 |
Light absorbers, Filter dyes and UV absorbers |
pp. 25-26 |
pp. 649 (right column) -650 (right column) |
7 |
Stain-preventive agents |
p. 25 (right column) |
p. 650 (left to right (column) |
8 |
Image-dye stabilizers |
p. 25 |
- |
9 |
Hardeners |
p. 26 |
p. 651 (left column) |
10 |
Binders |
p. 26 |
ditto |
11 |
Plasticizers and Lubricants |
p. 27 |
p. 650 (right column) |
12 |
Coating aids and Surface-active agents |
pp. 26-27 |
ditto |
13 |
Antistatic agents |
p. 27 |
ditto |
[0056] Further, in order to prevent the deterioration of photographic characteristics due
to formaldehyde gas, compounds that can react with formaldehyde to fix it, as described
in, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 4,411,987 and 4,435,503 are added preferably in
the photographic material.
[0057] Various color couplers may be used in the present invention, and typical examples
thereof are described in the patents cited in
Research Disclosure (RD) No. 17643, VII-C - G.
[0058] As yellow couplers, those described, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,933,501,
4,022,620, 4,326,024, and 4,401,452, JP-B No. 10793/1983, British Patent Nos. 1,425,020
and 1,476,460, U.S. Patent Nos. 3,973,968, 4,314,023 and 4,511,649, and European Patent
No. 249,473A may be used preferably.
[0059] As magenta couplers, the 5-pyrazolone type and pyrazoloazole type are preferable,
and those described, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,310,619 and 4,351,897, European
Patent No. 73,636, U.S. Patent Nos. 3,061,432 and 3,725,067,
Research Disclosure No. 24220 (June 1984), JP-A No. 33552/1985,
Research Disclosure No. 24230 (June 1984), JP-A Nos. 43659/1985, 72238/1986, 35730/1985, 118034/1980,
118034/1980, and 18595/1985, U.S. Patent Nos. 4,500,630 4,540,654, and 4,556,630 are
particularly preferable.
[0060] As cyan couplers can be mentioned phenol couplers and naphthol couplers, and those
described, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,052,212, 4,146,396, 4,228,233, 4,296,200,
2,369,929, 2,801,171, 2,772,162, 2,895,826, 3,772,002, 3,758,308, 4,334,011, and 4,327,173,
West German Patent Application (OLS) No. 3,329,729, European Patent Nos. 121,365A
and 249,453A, U.S. Patent Nos. 3,446,622, 4,333,999, 4,451,559, 4,427,767, 4,690,889,
4,254,212, and 4,296,199, and JP-A Nos. 42658/1986 are preferable.
[0061] As a colored coupler to rectify the unnecessary absorption of color-forming dyes,
those couplers described in paragraph VII-G of
Research Disclosure No. 17643, U.S. Patent No. 4,165,670, JP-B No. 39413/1982, U.S. Patent Nos. 4,004,929
and 4,138,258, and British Patent No. 1,146,368 are preferable.
[0062] As a coupler which forms a dye having proper diffusibility, those described in U.S.
Patent No. 4,366,237, British Patent No. 2,125,570, European Patent No. 96,570, and
West German Patent Application (OLS) No. 3,234,533, are preferable.
[0063] Typical examples of a polymerized dye-forming coupler are described in U.S. Patent
Nos. 3,451,820, 4,080,211, 4,367,282, 4,409,320, and 4,576,910, and British Patent
No. 2,102,173.
[0064] A coupler that releases a photographically useful residue can be used favorably in
this invention. As a DIR coupler that releases a development retarder, those described
in patents cited in paragraph VII-F of the above-mentioned
Research Disclosure No. 17643, JP-A Nos.151944/1982, 145234/1982, and 184248/1985, and U.S. Patent No.
4,248,962 are preferable.
[0065] As a coupler which releases, imagewise, a nucleating agent or a development accelerator
upon developing, those described in British Patent Nos. 2,097,140 and 2,131,188, and
JP-A Nos. 157638/1984 and 170840/1984 are preferable.
[0066] Other couplers that can be incorporated in the photographic material of the present
invention include competitive couplers described in U.S. Patent No. 4,130,427, multiequivalent
couplers described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,283,472, 4,338,393, and 4,310,618, couplers
that release a DIR coupler redox compound or a DIR coupler, as described, for example,
in JP-A Nos. 185950/1985 and 24252/1987, couplers that release a dye to regain a color
after releasing, as described in European Patent No. 173,302A, couplers that release
a bleach-accelerator, as described in
RD Nos. 11449 and 24241, and JP-A No. 201247/1066, and couplers that release a ligand,
as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,553,477.
[0067] Couplers for use in the present invention can be introduced into a photographic material
by any one of various known dispersing methods.
[0068] Examples of high-boiling organic solvents are described in U.S. Patent No. 2,322,027.
[0069] Examples of high boiling organic solvents having a boiling point of 175 °C or higher
at the normal pressure include phthalic esters (e.g., dibutyl phthalate, dicyclohexyl
phthalate, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, decyl phthalate, bis(2,4-di-t-amylphenyl)phthalate,
bis(2,4-di-t-amylphenyl)isophthalate, and bis(1,1-diethylpropyl) phthalate), phosphoric
or phosphonic esters (e.g., triphenyl phosphate, tricresyl phosphate, 2-ethylhexyldiphenyl
phosphate, tricyclohexyl phosphate, tri-2-ethylhexyl phosphate, tridodecyl phosphate,
tributoxyethyl phosphate, trichloropropyl phosphate, and di-2-ethylhexyl phenyl phosphonate),
benzoic esters (e.g., 2-ethylhexyl benzoate, dodecyl benzoate, and 2-ethylhexyl-p-hydroxy
benzoate), amides (e.g., N,N-diethyldodecanamide, N,N-diethyllaurylamide), and N-tetra-decylpyrrolidone),
alcohols or phonols (e.g., isostearyl alcohol and 2,4-di-tert-amylphonol), aliphatic
carboxylic esters (e.g., bis(2-ethylhexyl)sebacate, dioctylazelate, glycerol tributyrate,
isosteraryl lactate, and trioctyl citrate), aniline derivatives (e.g., N,N-dibutyl-2-butoxy-5-tert-octyl-aniline),
and hydrocarbons (e.g., paraffin, dodecylbenzene, and diisopropylnaphthalene). The
auxiliary solvents are organic solvents hhaving a boiling point higher than about
30 °C, preferably from about 50 °C to below about 160 °C. Examples of these solvents
include ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, ethyl propionate, methylethyl ketone, cyclohexanone,
2-ethoxyethyl acetate, and dimethylformamide.
[0070] The steps and effect of the latex dispersion method and the examples of latex for
impregnation are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,199,363 and West German Patent Application
(OLS) Nos. 2,541,274 and 2,541,230.
[0071] In the color photographic material of the present invention,m it is preferable to
add various antiseptics or mildewproofing agent, such as, for example, benzoisothiazolone,
n-butyl p-hydroxybenzoate, phenols, and 2-(4-thiazolyl)benzimidazole, described in
JP-A Nos. 257747/1988 and 272248/1987, and Japanese Patent Application No. 238096/1987.
[0072] The present invention can be applied to various color photographic materials. Examples
may be mentioned include color negative film for general use or movie, color reversal
film for slide or television, color paper, color positive film, and color reversal
paper.
[0073] Suitable bases that can be used in the present invention are described, for example,
on p. 28 of the above-mentioned
RD No. 17643, and on the right column of p. 627 to the left column of p. 648 in
ibid. No. 18716.
[0074] The color photographic material according to the present invention can be subjected
to development processing as described in pp. 28 - 29 of the above-mentioned
RD No. 17643, and on the left to right columns of p. 651 in
ibid. No. 18716.
[0075] The color-developing solution to be used in the developing process of the photographic
material of the present invention is preferably an aqueous alkaline solution whose
major component is an aromatic primary amine-type color developing agent. As the color
developing agent, aminophenol-type compounds are useful, and p-phenylenediamine-type
compounds are preferably used, typical examples thereof being 3-methyl-4-amino-N,N-diethylaniline,
3-metyl-4-amino-N-ethyl-N-β-hydroxylaniline, 3-methyl-4-amino-N-ethyl-N-β-methanesulfonamidoethylaniline,
and 3-methyl-4-amino-N-ethyl-N-β-methoxyethylaniline and their sulfates, and hydrochlorides
or p-toluenesulfonates. These compounds may be used in combination according to the
purpose.
[0076] Generally the color-developing solution contains pH buffers such as carbonates, borates,
or phosphates of alkali metals; antifoggants or development retarders, such as mercapto
compounds, benzothiazoles, benzimidazoles, iodides or bromides; and if required, preservatives
such as hydroxylamines, diethylhydroxylamines, sulfites, hydrazines, phenylsemicarbazides,
triethanolamine, catecholsulfonic acids, and triethylenediamines(1,4-diazabicyclo[2,2,2]octane);
organic solvents such as ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol; development accelerators
such as benzyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, quaternary ammonium salts, and amines;
dye-forming couplers; competing couplers; fogging agents such as sodium boron hydride;
auxiliary developing agents such as 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone; thickening agents; and
chelate agents, such as aminopolycarboxylic acids, aminopolyphosphonic acids alkylphosphonic
acids, and phosphonocarboxylic acids such as, for example, etylenediaminetetraacetic
acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, diethylenetriaminetetraacetic acid, cyclohoxanediaminetetraacetic
acid, hydroxyethylimidinoacetic acid, 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid,
nitrilo-N.N,N-trimethylenephosphonic acid, ethylenediamine, N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylenephosphonic
acid, and ethylenediamine-di-(o-hydroxyphenylacetic acid), and their salts.
[0077] For reversal processing a color development is generally carried out after a black-and-white
development. For the black-and-white developing solution, known black-and-white-developing
agents such as dihydroxybenzenes (e.g., hydroquinone), 3-pyrazolidones (e.g., 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone),
and aminophenols (e.g., N-methyl-p-aminophenol) may be used alone or in combination
with others.
[0078] Generally the color-developing solution has a pH of 9 to 12. Although the replenishing
amount of the developing solution varies depending on the color photographic material
to be processed, generally the replenishing amount is 3 ℓ or below per m² of the photographic
material, and the replenishing amount can be lowered to 500 mℓ or below if the bromide
ion concentration of the replenishing solution is lowered. If it is required to lower
the replenishing amount, it is preferable that the area of the processing tank in
contact with air is minimized to prevent the solution from evaporating or being oxidized
by air. The replenishing amount can also be lowered by suppressing the accumulation
of bromide ions in the developing solution.
[0079] Generally the processing time of color-development is set between 2 and 5 minutes,
but the processing time can be shortened by using a processing solution of high temperature
and high pH, as well as with a high concentration of color developing agent.
[0080] The photographic emulsion layers are generally subjected to a bleaching process after
color development.
[0081] The bleaching process can be carried out together with the fixing process (bleach-fixing
process), or it can be carried out separately from the fixing process. Further, to
quicken the process bleach-fixing may be carried out after the bleaching process.
In accordance with the purpose, the process may be arbitrarily carried out using a
bleach-fixing bath having two successive tanks, or a fixing process may be carried
out before the bleach-fixing process, or a bleaching process may be carried out after
the bleach-fixing process. As the bleaching agent, use can be made of, for example,
compounds of polyvalent metals, such as iron (III), cobalt (III), chromium (VI), and
copper (II), peracids, quinones, and nitro compounds. As typical bleaching agents,
use can be made of ferricyanides; dichromates; organic complex salts of iron (II)
or cobalt (III), such as complex salts of aminopolycarboxylic acids, for example ethylenediaminetetraacetic
acid, diethylenetriaminetetraacetic acid, cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid, methyliminodiacetic
acid, 1,3-diaminopropanetetraacetic acid, and glycolether diaminetetraacetic acid,
citric acid, tartaric acid, and malic acid; persulfates; bromates; permanganates;
and nitrobenzenes. Of these, aminopolycarboxylic acid iron (III) complex salts, including
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid iron (III) complex salts and persulfates are preferable
in view of rapid processing and the prevention of environmental pollution. Further,
aminopolycarboxylic acid iron (III) complex salts are particularly useful in a bleaching
solution as well as a bleach-fix solution. The pH of the bleaching solution or the
bleach-fix solution using these aminopolycarboxylic acid iron (III) complex salts
is generally 5.5 to 8, but if it is required to quicken the process, the process can
be effected at a lower pH.
[0082] In the bleaching solution, the bleach-fix solution, and the baths preceding them
a bleach-accelerating solution may be used if necessary. Examples of useful bleach-accelerating
agents are compounds having a mercapto group or a disulfide linkage, described in
U.S. Patent No. 3,893,858, West German Patent Nos. 1,290,812 and 2,059,988, JP-A Nos.
32736/1978, 57831/1978, 37418/1978, 72623/1978, 95630/1978, 95631/1978, 104322/1978,
124424/1978, 141623/1978, and 28426/1978, and
Research Disclosure No. 17129 (July. 1978); thiazolidine derivatives, described in U.S. Patent No. 3,706,561;
thiourea derivatives, described in JP-B No. 8506/1970, JP-A Nos. 20832/1977 and 32735/1978,
and U.S. Patent No. 3,706,561; iodide salts, described in West german Patent No. 1,127,715
and JP-A No. 16235/1983; polyoxyethylene compounds, described in West German Patent
Nos. 966,410 and 2,748,430; polyamine compounds, described in JP-B No. 8836/1970;
other compounds, described in JP-A Nos. 42434/1974, 59644/1978, 35727/1979, 26505/1080,
and 163940/1983; and bromide ions. Of these, compounds having a mercapto group or
a disulfide group are preferable in view of higher acceleration effect, and in particular,
compounds described in U.S. Patent No. 3,893,858, West German Patent No. 1,290,812,
and JP-A No. 95630/1978 are preferable. Compounds described in U.S. Patent No. 4,552,834
are preferable. These bleach-accelerating agents may be added into the photographic
material. When the color photographic materials for photographing are to be bleach-fixed,
these bleach-accelerating agents are particularly effective.
[0083] As a fixing agent can be mentioned thiosulfates, thiocyanates, thioether-type compounds,
thioureas, and large amounts of iodide salts, although thiosulfate is used usually,
and in particular ammoniun thiosulfate is widely used. As the preservative for bleach-fix
solution sulfite salt, bisulfite salt, or carbonyl-bisulfite adduct is preferable.
[0084] It is common for the silver halide color photographic material of the present invention
to undergo, after a desilvering process such as fixing or bleach-fix, a washing step
and/or a stabilizing step. The amount of washing water may be set within a wide range
depending on the characteristics (e.g., due to the materials used, such as couplers),
the application of the photographic material, the washing temperature, the number
of washing tanks (the number of steps), the type of replenishing system, including,
for example, the counter-current system and the direct flow system, and other various
conditions. Of these, the relationship between the number of water-washing tanks
and the amount of washing water in the multi-stage counter-current system can be
found according to the method described in
Journal of Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, Vol. 64, pages 248 to 253(May 1955).
[0085] According to the multi-stage-counter-current system described in the literature mentioned
above, although the amount of washing water can be considerably reduced, bacteria
propagate with an increase of retention time of the washing water in the tanks, leading
to a problem with the resulting suspend matter adhering to the photographic material.
In processing the present color photographic material, as a measure to solve this
problem, the method of reducing calcium and magnesium described in JP-A No. 288838/1987
can be used quite effectively. Also chlorine-type bactericides such as sodium chlorinated
isocyanurate, cyabendazoles, isothiazolone compounds described in JP-A No. 8542/1982,
benzotriazoles, and other bactericides described in Hiroshio Horiguchi "
Bokin/bobaizai no Kagaku", in
"Biseibutsu no Mekkin, Sakkin, Bobaigijutsu" edited by Eiseigijutsu-kai, and in "
Bokin Bibaizai Jiten", edited by Nihon Bokin Bobai-Gakkai, can be used.
[0086] The pH of the washing water used in processing the present photographic material
is 4 to 9, preferably 5 to 8. The washing water temperature and the washing time to
be set may vary depending, for example, on the characteristics and the application
of the photographic material, and they are generally selected in the range of 15 to
45 °C for 20 sec. to 10 min., and preferably in the range of 25 to 40 °C for 30 sec.
to 5 min. Further, the photographic material of the present invention can be processed
derectly with a stabilizing solution instead of the above washing. In such a stabilizing
process, any of known processes, for example, a multi-step counter-current stabilizing
process or its low-replenishing-amount process, described in JP-A Nos. 8543/1982,
14834/1983, and 220345/1985.
[0087] In some cases, the above washing process is further followed by a stabilizing process,
and as an example thereof can be mentioned a stabilizing bath that is used as a final
bath for color photographic materials for photography, which contains formalin and
a surface-active agent. In this stabilizing bath, each kind of the chelating agents
and bactericides may be added.
[0088] The over-flowed solution due to the replenishing of washing solution and/or stabilizing
solution may be reused in other steps, such as a desilvering step.
[0089] The silver halide color photographic material of the present invention may contain
therein a color-developing agent for the purpose of simplifying and quickening the
process. To contain such a color-developing agent, it is preferable to use a precursor
for a color-developing agent. For example, indoaniline-type compounds described in
U.S. Patent No. 3,342,597, Schiff base-type compounds described in U.S. Patent No.
3,342,599 and
Research Disclosure Nos. 14850 and 15159, aldol compounds described in
Research Disclosure No. 13924, metal salt complexes described in U.S. Patent No. 3,719,492, and urethane-type
compounds described in JP-A No. 135628/1978 can be mentioned.
[0090] For the purpose of accelerating the color development, the present silver halide
color photographic material may contain, if necessary, various 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidones.
Typical compounds are described in JP-A No. 64339/1981, 144547/1982, and 115438/1983.
[0091] The various processing solutions used for the present invention are used at 10 to
50 °C. Although generally a temperature of 33 to38 °C is standard, a higher temperature
can be used to accelerate the process to reduce the processing time, or a lower temperature
can be used to improve the image quality or the stability of the processing solutions.
Also, to save the silver of the photographic material, a process using hydrogen peroxide
intensification or cobalt intensification described in West German Patent No. 2,226,770
and U.S. Patent No. 3,674,499 may be carried out.
[0092] The photographic material of the present invention can be applied to the heat development-type
photographic material as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,500,626, JP-A Nos. 133449/1985
and 218443/1984, and European Patent No. 210,660A2.
[0093] The silver halide color photographic material of the present invention has the effects
of a dye produced by coupling with the oxidized product of a color developing agent
being sufficiently fast, of not contaminating a development processing solution, and
providing a highly sensitive color photographic image excellent in sharpness and color
reproduction.
[0094] The invention will now be described in further detail with reference to examples,
but the invention is not limited to them.
Example 1
[0095] A multilayer color photosensitive material (Sample 101) consisting of layers of the
following composition was prepared on an undercoated triacetate cellulose film support.
(Composition of photosensitive layers)
[0096] In the following compositions, the coating amount of silver halide and colloidal
silver are each indicated in g/m² in terms of silver, the coating amount of the coupler,
additive, and gelatin are each indicated in g/m², and the coating amount of the sensitizing
dye is indicated in mol per mol of silver halide. Symbols showing additives have meanings
as shown below, but when having plural effects, one of them is shown as a representative:
UV : ultraviolet absorbent,
Solv : high-boiling organic solvent,
ExS : sensitizing dye,
ExC : cyan coupler,
ExM : magenta coupler,
ExY : yellow coupler,
Cpd : additive,
First layer : Antihalation layer
[0097]
Black colloidal silver |
0.2 |
Gelatin |
1.3 |
ExM-9 |
0.06 |
UV-1 |
0.03 |
UV-2 |
0.06 |
UV-3 |
0.06 |
Solv-1 |
0.15 |
Solv-2 |
0.15 |
Solv-3 |
0.05 |
Second layer : Intermediate layer
[0098]
Gelatin |
1.0 |
UV-1 |
0.03 |
ExC-4 |
0.02 |
ExF-1 |
0.004 |
Solv-1 |
0.1 |
Solv-2 |
0.1 |
Third layer : Slow-speed red-sensitive emulsion layer
[0099] Silver iodobromide emulsion (AgI : 14 mol%, uniform AgI-type, diameter corresponding
to sphere : 0.5 µm, deviation coefficient of diameter : 20 %, tabular grains, diameter/thickness
: 3.0) silver 1.2
Silver iodobromide emulsion (AgI : 13 mol%, uniform AgI-type, diameter corresponding
to sphere : 0.3 µm, deviation coefficient of diameter : 15 %, cubic grains, diameter/thickness
: 1.0) silver 0.6
Gelatin |
1.0 |
ExS-1 |
4 x 10⁻⁴ |
ExS-2 |
5 x 10⁻⁵ |
ExC-1 |
0.05 |
ExC-2 |
0.05 |
ExC-3 |
0.03 |
ExC-4 |
0.12 |
ExC-5 |
0.01 |
Fourth layer : High-speed red-sensitive emulsion layer
[0100] Silver iodobromide emulsion (AgI : 16 mol%, inner higher AgI-type of core/shell ratio
1:1, diameter corresponding to sphere : 0.7 µm, deviation coefficient of diameter
: 15 %, tabular grains, diameter/thickness : 5) silver 0.7
Gelatin |
1.0 |
ExS-1 |
3 x 10⁻⁴ |
ExS-2 |
2.3 x 10⁻⁵ |
ExC-6 |
0.11 |
ExC-7 |
0.05 |
ExC-4 |
0.05 |
Solv-1 |
0.05 |
Solv-3 |
0.05 |
Fifth layer : Intermediate layer
[0101]
Gelatin |
0.5 |
Cpd-1 |
0.1 |
Solv-1 |
0.05 |
Sixth layer : Slow-speed green-sensitive emulsion layer
[0102] Silver iodobromide emulsion (AgI : 14 mol%, surface higher AgI-type of core/shell
ratio 1:1, diameter corresponding to sphere : 0.5 µm, deviation coefficient of diameter
: 15 %, tabular grains, diameter/thickness : 4.0) silver 0.35
Silver iodobromide emulsion (AgI : 3 mol%, uniform AgI-type, diameter corresponding
to sphere : 0.3 µm, deviation coefficient of diameter : 25 %, cubic grains, diameter/thickness
: 1.0) silver 0.20
Gelatin |
1.0 |
ExS-3 |
5 x 10⁻⁴ |
ExS-4 |
3 x 10⁻⁴ |
ExS-5 |
1 x 10⁻⁴ |
ExM-8 |
0.4 |
ExM-9 |
0.07 |
ExM-10 |
0.02 |
ExY-11 |
0.03 |
Solv-1 |
0.3 |
Solv-4 |
0.05 |
Seventh layer : High-speed green-sensitive emulsion layer
[0103] Silver iodobromide emulsion (AgI : 14 mol%, inner higher HgI-type of core/shell ratio
1:3, diameter corresponding to sphere : 0.7 µm, deviation coefficient of diameter
: 20 %, tabular grains, diameter/thickness : 5.0) silver 0.8
Gelatin |
0.5 |
Exs-3 |
5 x 10⁻⁴ |
ExS-4 |
3 x 10⁻⁴ |
ExS-5 |
1 x 10⁻⁴ |
ExM-8 |
0.1 |
ExM-9 |
0.02 |
ExY-11 |
0.03 |
ExC-2 |
0.03 |
ExM-14 |
0.01 |
Solv-1 |
0.2 |
Solv-4 |
0.01 |
Eighth layer : Intermediate layer
[0104]
Gelatin |
0.5 |
Cpd-1 |
0.05 |
Solv-1 |
0.02 |
Ninth layer : Doner layer for double layer-effect to red-sensitive layer
[0105] Silver iodobromide emulsion (AgI : 12 mol%, inner higher AgI-type of core/shell ratio
2:1, diameter corresponding to sphere : 1.0 µm, deviation coefficient of diameter
: 15 %, tabular grains, diameter/thickness : 6.0) silver 0.35
Silver iodobromide emulsion (AgI : 12 mol%, inner higher AgI-type of core/shell ratio
1:1, diameter corresponding to sphere : 0.4 µm, deviation coefficient of diameter
: 20 %, tabular grains, diameter/thickness : 6.0) silver 0.20
Gelatin |
0.5 |
ExS-3 |
8 x 10⁻⁴ |
ExY-13 |
0.11 |
ExM-12 |
0.03 |
ExM-14 |
0.10 |
Solv-1 |
0.20 |
Tenth layer : Yellow filter layer
[0106]
Yellow colloidal silver |
0.05 |
Gelatin |
0.5 |
Cpd-2 |
0.13 |
Solv-1 |
0.13 |
Cpd-1 |
0.10 |
Eleventh layer : Slow-speed blue-sensitive emulsion layer
[0107] Silver iodobromide emulsion (AgI : 14.5 mol%, uniform AgI-type, diameter corresponding
to sphere : 0.7 µm, deviation coefficient of diameter 15 %, tabular grains, diameter/thickness
: 7.0) silver 0.3
Silver iodobromide emulsion (AgI : 13 mol%, uniform AgI-type, diameter corresponding
to sphere : 0.3 µm, deviation coefficient of diameter 25 %, tabular grains, diameter/thickness
: 7.0) silver 0.15
Gelatin |
1.6 |
ExS-6 |
2 x 10⁻ |
ExC-16 |
0.05 |
ExC-2 |
0.10 |
ExC-3 |
0.02 |
ExY-13 |
0.3 |
ExY-15 |
1.0 |
Solv-1 |
0.20 |
Twelfth layer : High-speed blue-sensitive emulsion layer
[0108] Silver iodobromide emulsion (AgI : 10 mol%, inner higher AgI-type, diameter corresponding
to sphere : 1.0 µm, deviation coefficient of diameter : 25 %, multiple twinned crystal
tabular grains, diameter/thickness : 2.0) silver 0.5
Gelatin |
0.5 |
ExS-6 |
1 x 10 |
ExY-15 |
0.20 |
ExY-13 |
0.05 |
Solv-1 |
0.10 |
Thirteenth layer : First protective layer
[0109]
Galatin |
0.8 |
UV-4 |
0.1 |
UV-5 |
0.15 |
Solv-1 |
0.01 |
Solv-2 |
0.01 |
Fourteenth layer : Second protective layer
[0110] Fine-grain silver bromide emulsion (AgI : 12 mol%, uniform AgI-type, diameter corresponding
to sphere : 0.07 µm) silver 0.5
Gelatin |
0.45 |
Poly(methyl methacrylate) particles (particle diameter : 1.5 µm) |
0.2 |
H-1 |
0.4 |
Cpd-5 |
0.5 |
Cpd-6 |
0.5 |
(Preparation of Samples 102 to 114)
[0112] Samples 102 to 114 were prepared with the same procedure as Sample 101, except that
couplers shown in Table 1 were respectively added to the 11th layer and to the 12th
layer in place of ExY-13 in such amount that the gradation when wedge-exposed by a
blue light is to be equal.
(Preparation of Sample 120)
[0113] Sample 120 was prepared with the same procedure as Sample 101, except that ExY-15
was added to the 11th and to the 12th layer, respectively, in place of ExY-13 in the
amount of equal mol to ExY-13.
(Evaluation of photographic characteristics)
[0114] The thus-prepared Samples 101 to 114 and 120 were evaluated for 1) sharpness, 2)
interlayer effect, 3) stability of dye-image, and 4) sensitivity change after running
processing according to the folowing procedures.
1) Sharpness
[0115] After a light exposure to white light of a pattern for the MFT measurement, each
sample was subjected to processing process I described below to evaluate a sharpness
by the measurement of MFT.
2) Interlayer effect
[0116] Each sample was subjected to an wedge exposure to a yellow light after a uniform
exposure to a green light and then a development process according to processing process
I described below. The thus-processed samples were evaluated as to density and the
degree of interlayer effect by a green-density D
G at the portion of yellow density of 1.5.
3) Stability of the dye image
[0117] Each sample was subjected to a wedge exposure to a white light and then to a development
process according to the following processing process I. Then, each sample was subjected
to a humidity and heat stability test by leaving samples in the atmosphere of 60°C
and 70 % RH. The density after the test for the portion having yellow density of 1.0
before test was shown.
4) Evaluation of sensitivity change after the running processing.
[0118] The sensitivities (at the portion having density of fogging + 0.2) of a processed
sample immediately after starting an automatic developer (processing process I shown
below) and a processed sample after 20 days from starting (after running processing
800 meter for 35 mm film) were measured to evaluate the sensitivity change (as sample
for the running test, film that had taken a photograph of a standard object was used).
(Processing process I)
[0119] The development processing was carried out in accordance with the following procedure
by an automatic developer (until the accumulated replenishing amount reached 3 times
the tank volume of the mother solution).
Processing procedure |
Step |
Time (min.:sec.) |
Temp. (°C) |
Replenisher Amount(mℓ)* |
Tank Volume(ℓ) |
Color developing |
3 : 15 |
38 |
45 |
10 |
Bleaching |
1 : 00 |
38 |
20 |
4 |
Bleach-fixing |
3 : 15 |
38 |
30 |
8 |
Water-washing(1) |
: 40 |
35 |
** |
4 |
Water-washing(2) |
1 : 00 |
35 |
30 |
4 |
Stabilizing |
: 40 |
38 |
20 |
4 |
Drying |
1 : 15 |
55 |
|
|
* replenisher amount per 35 mm width 1 m length |
** counter current piping system from washing (2) to (1) |
[0120] The compositions of the processing solutions were as follows:
Color-developing solution |
Mother solution(g) |
Replenisher (g) |
Diethylenetriaminepentaacetate |
1.0 |
1.1 |
1-Hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonate |
3.0 |
3.2 |
Sodium sulfite |
4.0 |
4.4 |
Potassium carbonate |
30.0 |
37.0 |
Potassium bromide |
1.4 |
0.7 |
Potassium iodide |
1.5 mg |
- |
Hydroxylamine sulfate |
2.4 |
2.8 |
4-(N-ethyl-N- β -hydroxyethylamino)-2-methylaniline sulfate |
4.5 |
5.5 |
Water to make |
1.0 ℓ |
1.0 ℓ |
pH |
10.05 |
10.10 |
Bleaching solution
[0121] (Both mother solution and replenisher are the same)

Bleach-fixing solution
[0122] (Both mother solution and replenisher are the same)
|
(g) |
Ferric ammonium ethylenediaminetetraacetate dihydrate |
50.0 |
Disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate |
5.0 |
Sodium sulfite |
12.0 |
Ammonium thiosulfite aqueous solution (70%) |
240.0 mℓ |
Aqueous ammonia (27%) |
6.0 mℓ |
Water to make |
1.0 ℓ |
pH |
7.2 |
Water washing solution
[0123] (Both mother solution and replenisher are the same)
[0124] Tap water was treated by passage through a hybrid-type column filled with an H-type
strong acidic cation-exchange resin (Amberlite IR-120B, made by Rohm & Haas) and an
OH-type strong alkaline anion-exchange resin (Amberlite IRA-400, made by the same
company) to obtain water containing calcium and magnesium ions of each below 3mg/ℓ.
To the thus-treated water, 20 mg/ℓ of sodium dichloro-isocyanurate and 150 mg/ℓ of
sodium sulfate were added. The pH of this solution was in a range of 6.5 to 7.5.
Stabilizing solution
[0125] (Both mother solution and replenisher are the same)
|
(g) |
Formalin (37 %) |
2.0 mℓ |
|
Polyoxyethylene-p-monononylphenyl ether (av. polymerization degree of 10) |
0.3 |
Disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate |
0.05 |
Water to make |
1.0 ℓ |
pH |
5.0 - 8.0 |
[0126] Comparative couplers used are as follows:
Table 1
Sample No. |
Coupler in the 11th and the 12th layers |
MTF-value* |
DG** |
Fastness of Image |
Sensitivity Change |
101(Comparative Example) |
ExY-13 |
|
+ 0.15 |
- 0.23 |
0.73 |
± 0 |
102( " ) |
Comparative Coupler |
(1) |
+ 0.12 |
- 0.15 |
0.97 |
- 0.18 |
103( " ) |
" |
(2) |
+ 0.13 |
- 0.16 |
0.97 |
- 0.16 |
104( " ) |
" |
(3) |
+ 0.14 |
- 0.19 |
0.82 |
- 0.10 |
105(This Invention) |
Exemplified Coupler |
(1) |
+ 0.15 |
- 0.24 |
0.96 |
± 0 |
106( " ) |
" |
(2) |
+ 0.16 |
- 0.23 |
0.97 |
± 0 |
107( " ) |
" |
(3) |
+ 0.16 |
- 0.24 |
0.98 |
± 0 |
108( " ) |
" |
(6) |
+ 0.15 |
- 0.23 |
0.97 |
- 0.01 |
109( " ) |
" |
(10) |
+ 0.15 |
- 0.23 |
0.97 |
± 0 |
110( " ) |
" |
(21) |
+ 0.16 |
- 0.24 |
0.98 |
± 0 |
111( " ) |
" |
(22) |
+ 0.15 |
- 0.23 |
0.97 |
- 0.01 |
112( " ) |
" |
(32) |
+ 0.12 |
- 0.16 |
0.99 |
± 0 |
113( " ) |
" |
(33) |
+ 0.13 |
- 0.15 |
0.96 |
± 0 |
114( " ) |
" |
(34) |
+ 0.12 |
- 0.15 |
0.97 |
- 0.01 |
120(Contrast) |
ExY-15 |
|
0 |
0 |
0.98 |
± 0 |
* MTF-value of green-sensitive layer, spatial frequency 5c/mm is shown by the difference
between the MTF-value of sample 120 |
** It is shown by the difference between the DG of sample 120 |
[0127] As is apparent from the results in Table 1, Sample 101, which employed a coupler
described in U.S. Patent No. 4,477,563, has a problem of image-dye fastness, although
a change of sensitivity is not observed. On the other hand, Samples 102 and 104 which
employed couplers described in JP-A Nos. 82423/1972 and 261262/1988, have a problem
such that the sensitivity lowers during the running processing, although there is
no problem with image-dye fastness.
[0128] In contrast with the above, Samples 105 to 114 solved these problems, being excellent
in sharpness and color reproduction.
Example 2
[0129] The same evaluation as in Example 1 was carried out, except that the processing process
was changed to the following processing process II.
[0130] As results, the photographic images obtained by samples of the present invention
were the same as in Example 1, with excellent image-dye fastness, sharpness, and color
reproduction, and no change in sensitivity after the running processing.
Processing process II |
Step |
Processing Time |
Temperature |
Replenisher Amount * |
Color developing |
3 min.15 sec. |
38 °C |
38 mℓ |
Bleaching |
45 sec. |
38 °C |
4 mℓ |
Fixing |
1 min.30 sec. |
38 °C |
30 mℓ |
Stabilizing 1 |
20 sec. |
38 °C |
- |
Stabilizing 2 |
20 sec. |
38 °C |
- |
Stabilizing 3 |
20 sec. |
38 °C |
35 mℓ** |
Drying |
1 min. |
50-70 °C |
- |
* replenisher amount per 35 mm width 1 m length |
** three tanks counter current flow system from stabilizing 3 to 2, and 2 to 1 |
[0131] The compositions of the processing solutions were as follows:
Color-developing solution |
Mother solution(g) |
Replenisher (g) |
Diethylenetriaminepentaacetate |
5.0 |
6.0 |
Sodium sulfite |
4.0 |
4.4 |
Potassium carbonate |
30.0 |
37.0 |
Potassium bromide |
1.3 |
0.9 |
Potassium iodide |
1.2 mg |
- |
Hydroxylamine sulfate |
2.0 |
2.8 |
4-(N-ethyl-N- β -hydroxyethylamino)-2-methylaniline sulfate |
4.7 |
5.3 |
Water to make |
1.0 ℓ |
1.0 ℓ |
pH |
10.00 |
10.05 |

Stabilizing solution
[0132] (Both mother solution and replenisher are the same)

[0133] Having described our invention as related to the embodiment, it is our intention
that the invention be not limited by any of the details of the description, unless
otherwise specified, but rather be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as
set out in the accompanying claims.