BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to silver halide color photographic materials for use with
cameras that have good desilvering quality.
[0002] The processing of silver halide color photographic materials (hereinafter sometimes
referred to simply as "photographic materials") consists of two basic stages, color
development and desilvering, the latter stage consisting of bleaching and fixing steps
or a bleach-fixing step. These steps may be combined with additional steps such as
rinsing and stabilization.
[0003] The demand for increasing the speed of processing of photographic materials is constantly
growing and in order to carry out the desilvering step at a higher speed, it has been
desired to incorporate a desilvering accelerating technique not only in processing
solutions but also in the photographic material per se. Thiols, thiones, dithiones,
etc. have been known as bleaching accelerators that are effective in permitting the
bleaching step to be carried out with greater rapidity. However, even if these compounds
are directly added to photographic materials, their desilvering quality is hardly
improved. To the contrary, many defects occur such as decreased sensitivity and lower
color densities. Thus, the use of conventional bleaching accelerators is not considered
to be an effective technique for increasing the rapidity of desilvering step.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] An object, therefore, of the present invention is to provide a silver halide color
photographic material that has sufficiently good desilvering quality to shorten the
time required for the desilvering step to be completed.
[0005] This object of the present invention can be attained by a silver halide color photographic
material comprising a support, a light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer and
a non-light-sensitive layer, said material containing at least one of the compounds
represented by the following general formulas (I) - (XII) (these compounds are hereinafter
sometimes referred to collectively as the "compounds of the present invention"):

where Q is the atomic group necessary to form the nitrogenous hetero ring; R₁ is
an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, a hetero ring or an amino group;

where Qo is the atomic group necessary to form the sulfureous hetero ring; X is O,
S or NR (R is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group);

where R₂ and R₃ are each independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl atom, a hydroxyl
group, a carboxyl group, an amino group, an acyl group, an aryl group or an alkenyl
group; A is

or an n₁-valent heterocyclic residue; X is =S, =O or =NR˝ (where R and R′ respectively
have the same meanings as R₂ and R₃; X′ has the same meaning as X; Z is an ammonium
group, an amino group, a nitrogenous heterocyclic residue, an alkyl group or -B-Y;
M is a divalent group of metallic atoms; R˝ is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a
cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclic residue or an amino group; n₁ - n₆
and m₁ - m₄ are each an integer of 1 - 6; m₅ is an integer of 0 - 6; B is an alkylene
group; Y is

where R₄ and R₅ respectively have the same meanings as R₂ and R₃, provided that R₂
and R₃, R and R′ and R₄ and R₅ may respectively combine to form a ring;

R₁₀ is an alkyl group or -(CH₂)
n8SO₃⊖ (provided that when R₁₀ is -(CH₂)
n8SO₃⊖, ℓ is O, and when R₁₀ is an alkyl group, ℓ is 1); G⊖ is an anion; and n₈ is an
integer of 1 - 6;

where Q₁ is the atomic group necessary to form the nitrogenous hetero ring;

where D₁, D₂, D₃ and D₄ are each a simple bond or a hydrocarbon chain; q₁, q₂, q₃
and q₄ are each 0, 1 or 2;

where X₂ is a hydrogen atom, R₁₆, -COOM′, -OH, -SO₃M′, -CONH₂, -SO₂NH₂, -NH₂, -CN,
-CO₂R₁₆, -SO₂R₁₆, -OR₁₆, -NR₁₆R₁₇, -SR₁₆, -SO₃R₁₆, -NHCOR₁₆, -NHSO₂R₁₆, -OCOR₁₆ or
-SO₂R₁₆;
Y₂ is

m₉ and n₉ are each an integer of 1 - 10; R₁₁, R₁₂, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₇ and R₁₈ are each
a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an acyl group; R₁₃ is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl
group, an acyl group or

R₁₆ is an alkyl group; R₁₉ is -NR₂₀R₂₁, -OR₂₂ or -SR₂₂; R₂₀ and R₂₁ are each a hydrogen
atom or an alkyl group; R₂₂ is the atomic group necessary to form a ring in combination
with R₁₈; R₂₀ or R₂₁ may combine with R₁₈ to form a ring; and M′ is a hydrogen atom
or a cation;

where Ar is an arylene or a divalent organic group containing an arylene group; B₂
and B₃ are each an alkylene group; R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₅ and R₂₆ are each a hydroxy-substituted
alkyl group; x and y are each 0 or 1; G′ is an anion; and z is 0, 1 or 2;

where R₂₇ and R₂₈ are each a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group or a heterocyclic
group; R₂₉ is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; R₃₀ is a hydrogen atom or a carboxyl
group;

where Z₁, Z₂, Z₃ and Z₄ are each a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom, and at least one
of these is a nitrogen atom;

where R₃₁ and R₃₂ are each a hydrogen atom or substituent; and

where R₃₃, R₃₄, R₃₅ and R₃₆ are each a hydrogen atom or a substituent.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is described below in detail.
[0007] In the general formula (I), the hetero ring formed by Q and the hetero ring formed
by R₁ each includes a condensed hetero ring (e.g. a hetero ring formed by condensing
5- or 6-membered unsaturated rings) and the alkyl group represented by R₁ preferably
contains 1 - 5 carbon atoms. The hetero ring formed by Q and the group represented
by R₁ include those having substituents such as alkyl, carboxyl, sulfo, acyl, etc.
[0008] In the general formula (II), the hetero ring formed by Qo includes a condensed hetero
ring (e.g. a hetero ring formed by condensing 5- or 6-membered unsaturated rings)
and may have substituents such as alkyl, aryl, carboxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl,
halogen, vinyl, anilino, acylamino, sulfonamido, etc.
[0009] In the general formula (III), the alkyl group represented by R₂, R₃ or R˝ and the
alkylene group represented by B each preferably contains 1 - 6 carbon atoms, and the
acyl group represented by R₂ or R₃ preferably contains 2 - 4 carbon atoms.
[0010] The heterocyclic group represented by A or R˝ includes a condensed hetero ring (e.g.
a hetero ring formed by condensing 5- or 6-membered unsaturated rings), and the group
represented by R₂, R₃, A or R˝ may contain substituents such as hydroxyl, alkyl, amino,
etc.
[0011] The group represented by R₈ or R₉ in the general formula (IV) may have a substituent.
[0012] In the general formula (V), the hetero ring formed by Q₁ includes a condensed hetero
ring (e.g. a hetero ring formed by condensing 5- or 6-membered unsaturated or saturated
rings) and may contain substituents such as carboxyl, sulfo, etc.
[0013] In the general formula (VI), the hydrocarbon chain represented by D₁ - D₄ may be
saturated or unsaturated, and may be exemplified by alkylene and alkenylene, with
those having 1 - 8 carbon atoms being preferred. The sulfureous hetero ring includes
a condensed hetero ring (e.g. a hetero ring formed by condensing 5- or 6-membered
saturated or unsaturated rings) and may contain substituents such as hydroxyalkyl,
hydroxyl, carboxyalkyl, etc.
[0014] In the general formula (VII), the alkyl group represented by R₁₁ - R₁₈, R₂₀ or R₂₁
preferably contains 1 - 6 carbon atoms.
[0015] In the general formula (VIII), the arylene group represented by Ar may be exemplified
by phenylene, biphenylylene, etc., and examples of the divalent organic group containing
an arylene group include the combination of an arylene group and an alkylene group
and/or a hetero atom (e.g. oxygen).
[0016] The alkylene group represented by B₂ or B₃ and the hydroxy-substituted alkyl group
represented by R₂₃ - R₂₆ preferably contain 1 - 6 carbon atoms.
[0017] If Z₁, Z₂, Z₃ or Z₄ in the general formula (X) is a carbon atom, it may contain substituents
such as alkylthio, aryl, carboxyalkyl, amino, carboxyalkylthio, arylthio, heterocyclic
ring, aryloxy and acyloxy groups, etc.
[0018] The substituent represented by R₃₁ or R₃₂ in the general formula (XI) may be exemplified
by an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryl group, a carboxyl group, a halogen atom,
an amino group, a hydroxyl group, a sulfo group, etc.
[0019] The substituent represented by R₃₃ - R₃₆ in the general formula (XII) may be exemplified
by an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an amino group, a hydroxyl group, a mercapto group,
an acylamino group, a carbamoyl group, etc.
[0020] The compounds of the present invention represented by the general formulas (I) -
(XII) may be expressed by (B)·Ag.
[0022] The compounds (B) listed above can be easily synthesized by various known techniques
such as those described in British Patent No. 1,138,842, Unexamined Published Japanese
Patent Application Nos. 20832/1977, 28426/1978, 95630/1978, 104232/1978, 141632/1978,
17123/1980, 95540/1985, 75352/1986 and 83537/1986, as well as United States Patents
3,232,936, 3,772,020, 3,779,757, and 3,893,858.
[0023] The compounds of the present invention can be readily synthesized by mixing aqueous
solutions of compounds (B) with an aqueous solution of silver nitrate.
[0024] The compounds of the present invention only need be present in the color photographic
material of the present invention and they may be incorporated in light-sensitive
or non-light-sensitive layers, preferably in non-light-sensitive layers. Most preferably
the compounds are incorporated in a non-light-sensitive layer between the support
and the light-sensitive layer that is positioned the closest to the support.
[0025] The compounds of the present invention are preferably incorporated in amounts ranging
from 1 × 10⁻⁴ to 100 g, more preferably from 1 × 10⁻² to 1 g, per square meter of
the light-sensitive material.
[0026] Typical examples of the method for synthesizing the compounds of the present invention
are described below. Those compounds are preferably added in the form of a liquid
dispersion, so methods for preparing liquid dispersions are also described below.
Synthesis of compound I-2
[0027] Rhodanine-3-acetate (19.1 g) was dissolved in 2,000 ml of water and a 10% aqueous
solution of silver nitrate (169 g) was added over a period of 15 min. After stirring
for an additional 2 h, the resulting white crystal was recovered by filtration, washed
with 2,000 ml of water and vacuum-dried to obtain the end compound in an amount of
24.1 g.
Preparation of liquid dispersion
[0028] To 14.9 g or compound I-2 synthesized above, 10 ml of 5% Alkanol XC (Du Pont) and
300 ml of water were added and the mixture was treated with a ball mill for 12 h to
obtain a liquid dispersion.
Synthesis of compound II-2
[0029] 4-Sulfobenzotriazole (31 g) was dissolved in 1,000 ml of water and 338 g of a 10%
aqueous solution of silver nitrate was added over a period of 30 min. After stirring
for an additional 2 h, the resulting white crystal was recovered by filtration, washed
with 2,000 ml of water and vacuum-dried to obtain the end compound (4-sulfobenzotriazole
silver) in an amount of 46.3 g.
Preparation of liquid dispersion
[0030] To 20 g of 4-sulfobenzotriazole, 10 ml of 5% Alkanol XC (Du Pont) and 400 ml of water
were added and the mixture was treated with a ball mill for 12 h to obtain a milky
white liquid dispersion.
[0031] The silver halide emulsion to be used in the present invention may employ silver
bromide, silver iodobromide, silver iodochloride, silver chlorobromide, silver chloride
and any other silver halides that are commonly used in silver halide emulsions.
[0032] The silver halide grains used in the silver halide emulsion may have a uniform compositional
distribution in the bulk of the grains, or they may be core/shell grains having different
silver halide compositions in the interior and the surface layers of the grains.
[0033] The silver halide grains may be of a type that forms a latent image predominantly
on the surface, or of a type that forms a latent image predominantly in the bulk of
the grains.
[0034] The silver halide emulsion may have any grain size distribution. It may have a broad
grain size distribution (silver halide emulsions of this type are generally referred
to as "polydispersed emulsions"), or emulsions having a narrow grain size distribution
(generally referred to as "monodispersed emulsions") may be used either on their own
or as admixtures. If desired, a polydispersed emulsion may be used in admixture with
a monodispersed emulsion.
[0035] Separately prepared two or more silver halide emulsions may be used in admixture.
[0036] The silver halide emulsion to be used in the present invention may be chemically
sensitized or they may be spectrally sensitized to a desired wavelength range by treatment
with sensitizers.
[0037] Antifoggants, stabilizers and other additives may be added to the silver halide emulsion.
Gelatin is advantageously used as a binder in said emulsion.
[0038] Emulsion layers and other hydrophilic colloidal layers may be hardened and they may
incorporate plasticizers or dispersions (latices) of synthetic polymers that are either
insoluble or slightly soluble in water.
[0039] Couplers are used in the emulsion layers of the color light-sensitive material. Also
usable are competitive couplers which are capable of color correction, as well as
compounds that couple with the oxidation product of developing agents to release photographically
useful fragments such as development accelerators, bleach accelerators, developers,
silver halide solvents, toning agents, hardeners, foggants, anti-foggants, chemical
sensitizers, spectral sensitizers, desensitizers, etc.
[0040] Known acylacetanilide couplers may preferably be used as yellow-dye forming couplers.
Among acylacetanilide couplers, benzoylacetanilide and pivaloylacetanilide compounds
are advantageous.
[0041] Compounds represented by the following general formula (YB-1) are particularly preferred
for use as yellow-dye forming couplers in the present invention:

where R₁ - R₇ and W are each a hydrogen atom or a substituent; preferably, R₁, R₂
and R₃, which may be the same or different, each represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen
atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, an acylamino group, a carbamoyl
group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, a sulfonamido group or a sulfamoyl group; R₄, R₅,
R₆ and R₇, which may be the same or different, each preferably represents a hydrogen
atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an acylamino group or a sulfonamide
group; W is preferably a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy
group or a dialkylamino group; X is a hydrogen atom or a group that can be eliminated,
and a preferred group that can be eliminated is represented by the following general
formula (YB-II):

where Y is a group of the non-metallic atoms necessary to form a 5- or 6-membered
ring.
[0043] These benzoylacetanilide yellow couplers that can be used in the present invention
include those which are described in United States Patent 3,725,072, 3,891,445, Japanese
Patent Publication No. 10783/1976, as well as Unexamined Published Japanese Patent
Application Nos. 73147/1973, 6341/1975, 102636/1976,115219/1977, 159163/1984 and 174838/1984,
and they can be synthesized by the methods described in these patents.
[0044] Two or more benzoylacetanilide yellow couplers may be used in the present invention
and, if desired, they may be used in combination with other yellow couplers.
[0045] Yellow couplers can be incorporated in the photographic material by various methods
depending upon the physical properties (e.g. solubility) of the yellow coupler to
be incorporated. To mention a few, they may be incorporated by an oil-in-water emulsion
dispersion method using water-insoluble high-boiling point organic solvents, an alkali
dispersion method in which they are added in the form of an alkaline solution, a latex
dispersion method, and a solid dispersion method in which they are added directly
as fine solids.
[0046] The yellow couplers are incorporated in a total amount that typically ranges from
1.0 × 10⁻³ to 1.0 mole, preferably from 5.0 × 10⁻³ to 8.0 × 10⁻¹ moles, per mole of
silver halide.
[0047] The benzoylacetanilide yellow couplers to be used in the present invention are typically
incorporated in blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layers, but depending on a
specific object, they may be incorporated in silver halide emulsion layers having
sensitivity to light other than blue, such as in green- or red-sensitive emulsion
layers.
[0048] Magenta-dye forming couplers that can be used in the present invention include 5-pyrazolone
couplers, pyrazoloazole couplers, pyrazolobenzimidazole couplers, open-chain acylacetonitrile
couplers, indazole couplers, etc.
[0049] Compounds represented by the following general formula (M-I) are particularly preferred
for use as magenta-dye forming couplers in the present invention:

where Z is a group of the non-metallic atoms necessary to form the nitrogenous heterocyclic
ring which may contain a substituent; X is a hydrogen atom or a group capable of leaving
upon reaction with the oxidation product of a color developing agent; and R is a hydrogen
atom or a substituent.
[0050] While the substituent represented by R is not limited in any particular way but typical
examples are alkyl, aryl, anilino, acylamino, sulfonamido, alkylthio, arylthio, alkenyl,
cycloalkyl group. Other examples of the substituent R include: a halogen atom; groups
such as cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, hetero ring, sulfonyl, sulfinyl, phosphonyl, acyl,
carbamoyl, sulfamoyl, cyano, alkoxy, aryloxy, heterocycloxy, siloxy, acyloxy, carbamoyloxy,
amino, alkylamino, imido, ureido, sulfamoylamino, alkoxycarbonylamino, aryloxycarbonylamino,
alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl and heterocyclic thio; as well as residues such as
spiro compound residue and bridged hydrocarbon compound residue.
[0051] The alkyl group represented by R preferably contains 1 - 32 carbon atoms and it may
be straight-chained or branched.
[0052] A preferred example of the aryl group represented by R is a phenyl group.
[0053] The acylamino group represented by R may be exemplified by alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino,
etc.
[0054] The sulfonamido group represented by R may be exemplified by alkylsulfonylamino,
arylsulfonylamino, etc.
[0055] The alkyl portion of the alkylthio group represented by R, as well as the aryl portion
of the arylthio group also represented by R may be exemplified by the alkyl and aryl
groups mentioned above in the definition of R.
[0056] Preferred examples of the alkenyl group represented by R are those which have 2 -
32 carbon atoms, and preferred examples of the cycloalkyl group represented by R are
those which have 3 - 12 carbon atoms, with those having 5 - 7 carbon atoms being particularly
preferred. The alkenyl group may be straight-chained or branched.
[0057] Preferred examples of the cycloalkenyl group represented by R are those which have
3 - 12 carbon atoms, with those having 5 - 7 carbon atoms being particularly preferred.
[0058] Other examples of R are listed below:
sulfonyl groups such as alkylsulfonyl and arylsulfonyl;
sulfinyl groups such as alkylsulfinyl and arylsulfinyl;
phosphonyl groups such as alkylphosphonyl, alkoxyphosphonyl, aryloxyphosphonyl and
arylphosphonyl;
acyl groups such as alkylcarbonyl and arylcarbonyl;
carbamoyl groups such as alkylcarbamoyl and arylcarbamoyl;
sulfamoyl groups such as alkylsulfamoyl and arylsulfamoyl;
acyloxy groups such as alkylcarbonyloxy and arylcarbonyloxy;
carbamoyloxy groups such as alkylcarbamoyl and arylcarbamoyloxy;
ureido groups such as alkylureido and arylureido;
sulfamoylamino groups such as alkylsulfamoylamino and arylsulfamoylamino;
heterocyclic groups, preferably those which are 5- to 7-membered as exemplified specifically
by 2-furyl, 2-thienyl, 2-pyrimidinyl and 2-benzothiazolyl;
heterocycloxy groups, preferably those having 5- to 7-membered hetero rings as exemplified
by 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyranyl-2-oxy and 1-phenyltetrazol-5-oxy;
heterocyclic thio groups, preferably those which are 5- to 7-membered as exemplified
by 2-pyridylthio, 2-benzothiazolylthio, 2,4-diphenoxy-1,3,5-triazole-6-thio;
siloxy groups such as trimethylsiloxy, triethylsiloxy and dimethylbutylsiloxy;
imido groups such as succinimido, 3-heptadecylsuccinimido, phthalimido and glutarimido;
spiro compound residues such as spiro[3.3]heptan-1-yl; and
bridged hydrocarbon compound residues such as bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-1-yl; tricyclo[3.3.1.1³⁷]decan-1-yl,
and 7,7-dimethyl-bicyclo-[2.2.1]heptan-1-yl.
[0059] Examples of the group X which is capable of leaving upon reaction with the oxidation
product of color developing agents include: a halogen atom (e.g. Cl, Br or F), and
groups such as alkoxy, aryloxy, heterocycloxy, acyloxy, sulfonyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy,
aryloxycarbonyl, alkyloxalyloxy, alkoxyoxalyloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heterocyclic
thio, alkyloxythiocarbonylthio, acylamino, sulfonamide, a nitrogenous hetero ring
formed with the intermediary of N atom, alkyloxycarbonylamino, aryloxycarbonylamino,
carboxyl, and

(where R₁′ has the same meaning as R; Z′ has the same meaning as Z; R₂′ and R₃′ are
each a hydrogen atom, an aryl group, an alkyl group or a heterocyclic group). A preferred
example of X is a halogen, with a chlorine atom being particularly preferred. Examples
of the nitrogenous hetero ring formed by Z or Z′ include pyrazole, imidazole, triazole
and tetrazole rings, and the substituent that may be possessed by these rings may
be exemplified by those which were listed in the definition of R.
[0060] The compound represented by the general formula (M-1) may be represented more specifically
by the following formulas (M-II) to (M-VII):

[0061] In the general formulas (M-II) to (M-VII), R₁ - R₈ and X have the same meanings as
already defined for R and X.
[0062] Among the compounds represented by the general formula (M-I), those which are represented
by the following general formula (M-VIII) are particularly preferred:

where R₁, X and Z₁ have the same meanings as R, X and Z in the general formula (M-I).
[0063] Among the magenta couplers represented by the general formulas (M-II) to (M-VII),
magenta couplers represented by the general formula (M-II) are particularly preferred.
[0064] The substituents R and R₁ on the hetero rings described above are most preferably
represented by the following general formula (M-IX):
R₉ - CH₂ - (M-IX)
where R₉ has the same meaning as already defined for R.
[0065] A preferred example of R₉ is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group.
[0066] The substituent optionally possessed by the ring formed by Z in the general formula
(M-I) and the ring formed by Z₁ in the general formula (M-VIII), and R₂ - R₈ in the
general formulas (M-II) to (M-VI) are preferably represented by the following general
formula (M-X):
-R¹ - SO₂ - R² (M-X)
where R¹ is an alkylene group, and R² is an alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl group.
[0067] The alkylene group represented by R¹ preferably contains 2 or more carbon atoms,
more preferably 3 to 6 carbon atoms, in the straight-chained portion, and it may be
either straight-chained or branched.
[0068] The cycloalkyl group represented by R² is preferably 5- or 6-membered.
[0070] Besides the typical examples listed above, other magenta-dye forming couplers may
be used in the present invention and they include Compound Nos. 1 - 4, 6, 8 - 17,
19 - 43, 45 - 59, 61 - 104, 106 - 121, 123 - 162, 164 - 223, which are described in
Unexamined Published Japanese Patent Application No. 166339/1987, page 18 upper right
column to page 32, upper right column.
[0071] The couplers described hereinabove can be synthesized by making reference to Journal
of the Chemical Society, Perkin I (1977); 2047 - 2057, United States Patent 3,725,067,
Unexamined Published Japanese Patent Application Nos. 99437/1984, 420045/1983, 162548/1984,
171956/1984, 33552/1985, 43659/1985, 172982/1985, 190779/1985, etc.
[0072] The magenta couplers can be used in amounts that typically range from 1 × 10⁻³ to
1 mole, preferably from 1 × 10⁻² to 8 × 10⁻¹ moles, per mole of silver halide.
[0073] The magenta couplers described above may be used in combination with other magenta
couplers.
[0074] Phenolic or naphtholic couplers are typically used as cyan-dye forming couplers.
[0075] The photographic material of the present invention may incorporate auxiliary layers
such as a filter layer, an anti-halation layer and an anti-irradiation layer. Dyes
that flow out of the photographic material during development or which are bleached
may be incorporated in these auxiliary layers an/or emulsion layers.
[0076] The photographic material of the present invention may also contain a matting agent,
a lubricant, an image stabilizer, a formaldehyde scavenger, a uv absorber, a brightener,
a surfactant, a development accelerator, a development retarder or a bleach accelerator.
[0077] The support of the photographic material may be a polyethylene-laminated paper, a
polyethylene terephthalate film, a baryta paper, triacetyl cellulose, etc.
[0078] Typical examples of the scheme for processing the photographic material of the present
invention are described below:
(1) color development - bleach-fixing - washing;
(2) color development - bleach-fixing - partial washing - washing;
(3) color development - bleach-fixing - washing - stabilizing;
(4) color development - bleach-fixing - stabilizing;
(5) color development - bleach-fixing - first stabilization - second stabilization;
(6) color development - washing - bleach-fixing - washing;
(7) color development - accelerated bleaching - bleach-fixing - stabilizing;
(8) color development - accelerated bleaching - bleach-fixing - washing;
(9) color development - prefixing - bleach-fixing - stabilizing;
(10) color development - pre-fixing - bleaching - stabilizing;
(11) color development - bleaching - washing -fixing - washing - stabilizing;
(12) color development - bleaching - fixing - washing - stabilizing;
(13) color development - bleaching - fixing - first stabilization - second stabilization;
(14) color development - bleaching - partial washing - fixing - partial washing -
washing - stabilizing;
(15) color development - bleaching - bleach-fixing - first stabilization - second
stabilization;
(16) color development - accelerated bleaching - bleaching -fixing - first stabilization
- second stabilization;
(17) color development - partial washing - bleaching - partial washing - fixing -
partial washing - washing - stabilizing;
(18) color development - accelerated bleaching - bleaching - partial washing - fixing
- partial washing - washing - stabilizing;
(19) black-and-white development - washing (or stabilizing) - reversal - color development
- bleaching - fixing - washing (optional);
(20) black-and-white development - washing (or stabilizing) - reversal - color development
- accelerated bleaching - bleaching - fixing - washing (optional) - stabilizing;
(21) black-and-white development - washing (or stabilizing) - reversal - color development
- bleach-fixing - washing (optional) - stabilizing; and
(22) black-and-white development - washing (or stabilizing) - reversal - color development
- accelerated bleaching - bleach-fixing - fixing -washing (optional) - stabilizing.
[0079] The term "accelerated bleaching" as used hereinabove means a treatment with a pre-bath
containing a bleach accelerator.
[0080] The bleaching solution or bleach-fixing solution with which the photographic material
of the present invention is treated may contain any kind of bleaching agents, such
as potassium ferricyanide, iron chloride (as described in British Patent No. 736,881,
Japanese Patent Publication No. 44424/1981, etc.), persulfuric acid (as described
in German Patent No. 2,141,199, etc.), hydrogen peroxide (as described in Japanese
Patent Publication Nos. 11617/1983, 11618/1983, etc.), as well as aminopolycarboxylic
acid iron (III) complex salts illustrated by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid iron
(III) complex salt. Particularly preferred examples are iron (III) complex salts of
the following aminopolycarboxylic acids:
(1) ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid;
(2) diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid;
(3) ethylenediamine-N-(β-hydroxyethyl)-N,N′, N′-triacetic acid;
(4) 1,3-diaminopropanetetraacetic acid;
(5) triethylenetetraaminehexaacetic acid;
(6) cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid;
(7) 1,2-diaminopropanetetraacetic acid;
(8) 1,3-diaminopropan-2-ol-tetraacetic acid;
(9) ethyl ether diaminetetraacetic acid;
(10) glycol ether diaminetetraacetic acid;
(11) ethylenediaminetetrapropionic acid;
(12) phenylenediaminetetraacetic acid;
(13) ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt;
(14) ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tetra (trimethylammonium) salt;
(15) ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tetrasodium salt;
(16) diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid pentasodium salt;
(17) ethylenediamine-N-(β-hydroxyethyl)-N,N′,N′-triacetic acid sodium salt;
(18) propylenediaminetetraacetic acid sodium salt;
(19) ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonic acid;
(20) cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid sodium salt;
(21) diethylenetriaminepentamethylenephosphonic acid;
(22) cyclohexanediaminetetramethylenephosphonic acid;
(23) nitrilotriacetic acid;
(24) iminodiacetic acid;
(25) hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid;
(26) nitrilotripropionic acid;
(27) nitrilotrimethylenephosphonic acid;
(28) iminodimethylenephsophonic acid;
(29) hydroxyethyliminodimethylenephosphonic acid; and
(30) nitrilotriacetic acid trisodium salt.
[0081] The effectiveness of the present invention is particularly significant if iron (III)
complex salts of aminopolycarboxylic acids having high molecular weights are used,
and preferred aminopolycarboxylic acids are those which have molecular weights of
at least 300. Among the aminopolycarboxylic acids (1) - (30) listed above, those which
are particularly preferred from the viewpoint of the effectiveness of the present
invention include: diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, 1,3-diaminopropanetetraacetic
acid, 1,2-diaminopropanetetraacetic acid, 1,4-diaminobutanetetraacetic acid, glycol
ether diaminetetraacetic acid and cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid, with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic
acid and 1,3-diaminopropanetetraacetic acid being most preferred.
[0082] Iron (III) salts of aminopolycarboxylic acids are typically used in the form of free
acids (hydrogen salt), alkali metal salts such as sodium salt, potassium salt and
lithium salt, ammonium salts or water-soluble amine salts such as triethanolamine
salt, and preferably they are used as potassium salt, sodium salt or ammonium salt.
The use of at least one of these iron (III) complex salts will suffice but they may
be used as admixtures. These complex salts may be used in any desired amounts, depending
upon such factors as the silver content and the silver halide composition of the photographic
material to be processed. Generally speaking, these complex salts have a higher oxidizing
power and hence may be used at lower concentrations than other salts of aminopolycarboxylic
acids. For instance, they may be used at concentrations of more than 0.01 mole per
liter of processing solution, with the range of 0.05 - 0.8 moles being preferred.
If these complex salts are to be used in replenishers, they are desirably concentrated
to the solubility limit.
[0083] The following examples are provided for the purpose of further illustrating the present
invention but are in no way to be taken as limiting.
Example 1
Preparation of samples:
[0084] Subbed cellulose acetate bases were coated, in superposition, with the layers described
below, whereby Sample Nos. 11 - 39 of multi-layered color photographic material were
prepared. In the following list of layers, the coating weights of silver halide and
colloidal silver are indicated in grams per square meter in terms of silver; those
of additives and gelatin are indicated in grams per square meter; and those of sensitizers,
couplers and DIR compounds are respectively indicated by the number of moles per mole
of silver halide in the layer in which they were incorporated. The compounds of the
present invention and comparative compounds used (see Table 1 below) were respectively
added in an amount of 3 mmol/m² in the first layer (HC) in the form of either a liquid
dispersion or an aqueous solution.
[0086] In the following description, the first to twelfth layers will be referred to by
the respective abbreviations HC, IL-1, R-1, R-2, IL-2, G-1, G-2, YC, B-1, B-2, Pro-1
and Pro-2.
[0087] Besides the ingredients mentioned above, a surfactant was added as a coating aid
to each layer.
[0088] Samples Nos. 11 - 39 were exposed through an optical wedge in the usual manner and
subsequently processed by the following scheme.
Steps (38°C) |
Time |
Color development |
3 min and 15 sec |
Bleaching |
See Table 1 |
Fixing |
6 min and 30 sec |
Washing |
3 min and 15 sec |
Stabilizing |
1 min and 30 sec |
Drying |
|
[0089] The processing solutions used had the following formulations.
Color developer |
4-Amino-3-methyl-N-ethyl-N-B-hydroxyethyl aniline sulfate |
4.75 g |
Anhydrous sodium sulfite |
4.25 g |
Hydroxylamine hemisulfate |
2.0 g |
Anhydrous potassium carbonate |
37.5 g |
Potassium iodide |
1.9 mg |
Potassium bromide |
1.3 g |
Nitrilotriacetic acid trisodium salt (monohydroate) |
2.5 g |
Potassium hydroxide |
1.0 g |
Water |
to make 1,000 ml |
(pH = 10.02) |
Bleaching solution (formula A) |
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid iron (III) ammonium salt |
100.0 g |
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid diammonium salt |
10.0 g |
Ammonium bromide |
150.0 g |
Glacial acetic acid |
10.0 g |
Water |
to make 1,000 ml |
pH adjusted to 6.0 with aquous ammonia |
Bleaching solution (formula B) |
1,3-Diaminopropanetetraacetic acid iron (III) ammonium salt |
180.0 g |
1,3-Diaminopropanetetraacetic acid diammonium salt |
4.0 g |
Ammonium bromide |
128.0 g |
Ammonium nitrate |
118.0 g |
Glacial acetic acid |
69.0 g |
Aqueous ammonia (25%) |
30 ml |
Water |
to make 1,000 ml |
pH adjusted to 4.5 with aqueous ammonia |
Fixing solution |
Ammonium thiosulfate |
175.0 g |
Anhydrous ammonium sulfite |
8.6 g |
Sodium metasulfite |
2.3 g |
Water |
to make 1,000 ml |
pH adjusted to 6.0 with acetic acid |
Stabilizing solution |
Formaldehyde (37% aq. sol.) |
1.5 ml |
Konidax (Konica Corp.) |
7.5 ml |
Water |
to make 1,000 ml |
[0090] Other than said samples Nos. 11 - 39, a reference sample was also prepared in the
same manner as for sample No. 11. After exposure through an optical wedge, this reference
sample was processed through the sequence of color development, fixing, washing, stabilizing
and drying (no bleaching was performed). The amount of residual silver in the maximum
density area of the reference sample was measured with fluorescent X-rays. The amounts
of residual silver in the maximum density areas of the other samples Nos. 11- 39 were
measured and expressed in terms of relative values, with the value for the reference
sample being taken as 100%.
[0091] The optical density for red light was measured for all samples with an optical densitometer
Model PDA-65 of Konica Corp. The sensitivity was determined on the basis of the amount
of exposure necessary to provide an optical density of "fog + 0.5" and expressed in
terms of relative values, with the value for sample No. 11 being taken as 100.
[0092] The results are shown in Table 1.
Table 1
Sample No. |
Compound |
Residual silver(%) |
Relative sensitivity to red light |
|
|
|
Bleaching solution A |
Bleaching solution B |
|
|
|
|
1 min |
3 min |
20 sec |
40 sec |
|
Comparative samples |
11 |
- |
78 |
12 |
54 |
10 |
100 |
12 |
I-2 |
62 |
13 |
42 |
11 |
72 |
13 |
II-1 |
68 |
10 |
50 |
9 |
65 |
14 |
III-4 |
70 |
12 |
54 |
10 |
72 |
15 |
VI-12 |
63 |
11 |
44 |
10 |
82 |
16 |
VII-2 |
52 |
8 |
33 |
6 |
62 |
17 |
VIII-2 |
72 |
12 |
52 |
11 |
79 |
18 |
XI-2 |
76 |
11 |
54 |
10 |
70 |
19 |
XII-1 |
68 |
10 |
51 |
10 |
88 |
Samples of the invention |
20 |
[I-2]·Ag |
20 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
100 |
21 |
[I-5]·Ag |
34 |
3 |
13 |
1 |
99 |
22 |
[II-1]·Ag |
31 |
2 |
12 |
0 |
101 |
23 |
[II-16]·Ag |
32 |
3 |
15 |
1 |
100 |
24 |
[III-4]·AG |
26 |
1 |
9 |
0 |
100 |
25 |
[III-13]·Ag |
24 |
1 |
10 |
0 |
99 |
26 |
[III-24]·Ag |
22 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
100 |
27 |
[IV-1]·Ag |
40 |
4 |
21 |
1 |
98 |
28 |
[V-2]·Ag |
32 |
3 |
10 |
0 |
100 |
29 |
[VI-6]·Ag |
30 |
2 |
13 |
0 |
100 |
30 |
[UI-11]·Ag |
42 |
4 |
20 |
1 |
98 |
31 |
[VII-1]·AG |
23 |
0 |
8 |
0 |
101 |
32 |
[VII-12]·Ag |
18 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
100 |
33 |
[VIII-2]·Ag |
43 |
4 |
23 |
1 |
99 |
34 |
[IX-5]·Ag |
35 |
3 |
15 |
0 |
100 |
35 |
[X-3]·Ag |
28 |
0 |
8 |
0 |
100 |
36 |
[XI-2]·Ag |
26 |
1 |
9 |
0 |
101 |
37 |
[XI-3]·Ag |
32 |
2 |
13 |
0 |
100 |
38 |
[XII-1]·Ag |
30 |
0 |
9 |
0 |
100 |
39 |
[XII-5]·Ag |
35 |
3 |
14 |
0 |
99 |
[0093] As is clear from Table 1, samples Nos. 20 - 39 containing the compounds of the present
invention showed good desilvering quality without experiencing a decrease in sensitivity,
but sample Nos. 12 - 19 containing compounds that did not form silver salts experienced
substantial loss in sensitivity and hence did not have good photographic performance.
Example 2
[0094] Sample Nos. 11 - 39 prepared in Example 1 were exposed through an optical wedge in
the usual manner and subsequently processed by the following scheme.
Steps (38°C) |
Time |
Color development |
3 min and 15 sec |
Bleach-fixing |
See table 2 |
Washing |
3 min and 15 sec |
Stabilizing |
1 min and 30 sec |
Drying |
|
[0095] The processing solutions used had the following formulations.
Color developer
[0096] Same as in Example 1.
Bleach-fixing solution |
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid iron (III) ammonium salt |
60.0 g |
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid ammonium salt |
3.0 g |
Ammonium thiosulfate (70% aq. sol.) |
130.0 ml |
Ammonium sulfite (40% aq. sol.) |
27.5 ml |
Color developer (see above) |
100.0 ml |
Water |
to make 1,000 ml |
pH adjusted to 7.0 with potassium carbonate or glacial acetic acid. |
Stabilizing solution
[0097] Same as in Example 1.
[0098] The relative amount of residual silver was determined for each sample as in Example
1. The results are shown in Table 2.
Table 2
Sample No. |
Residual silver (%) |
|
|
Time of bleach-fixing |
|
|
1 min and 30 sec |
3 min and 15 sec |
Comparative samples |
11 |
63 |
21 |
12 |
48 |
11 |
13 |
57 |
19 |
14 |
60 |
19 |
15 |
55 |
13 |
16 |
42 |
9 |
17 |
58 |
18 |
18 |
60 |
20 |
19 |
53 |
13 |
Samples of the invention |
20 |
6 |
0 |
21 |
15 |
2 |
22 |
11 |
1 |
23 |
12 |
1 |
24 |
8 |
1 |
25 |
6 |
0 |
26 |
8 |
0 |
27 |
30 |
3 |
28 |
24 |
2 |
29 |
22 |
0 |
30 |
29 |
3 |
31 |
6 |
0 |
32 |
4 |
0 |
33 |
29 |
3 |
34 |
23 |
2 |
35 |
19 |
1 |
36 |
15 |
0 |
37 |
20 |
2 |
38 |
18 |
0 |
39 |
25 |
2 |
[0099] As is clear from Table 2, sample Nos. 20 - 39 containing the compounds of the present
invention showed much better desilvering quality than the comparative samples in the
bleach-fixing treatment.
Example 3
[0100] Samples of color photographic material were prepared using I-6, I-9, II-10, II-23,
III-6, III-11, III-14, V-1, VI-2, VI-17, VII-6, VII-10, VIII-1, VIII-6, IX-3, X-4,
X-6, XI-5, XI-6, XII-2 and XII-7 as compounds (B) to form compounds (B)·Ag of the
present invention. When these samples were subjected to experiments under completely
identical conditions to Examples 1 and 2, the effectiveness of the present invention
was verified.
Example 4
[0101] Additional sample Nos. 41 - 47 were prepared by modifying sample No. 32 of Example
1 in such a way that the magenta-dye forming coupler in layers G-1 and G-2 was changed
to those shown in Table 3. These samples were subjected to experiments under the same
conditions as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 3 together with the data
for sample No. 32.
Table 3
Sample No. |
Magenta coupler |
Residual silver (%) |
Relative sensitivity to red light |
|
|
|
Bleaching solution A |
Bleaching solution B |
|
|
|
|
1 min |
3 min |
20 sec |
40 sec |
|
Samples of the invention |
32 |
M-4 |
18 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
100 |
41 |
M-1 |
20 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
100 |
42 |
M-2 |
17 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
101 |
43 |
M-19 |
18 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
99 |
44 |
M-25 |
18 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
100 |
45 |
M-34 |
20 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
100 |
46 |
M-51 |
17 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
99 |
47 |
M-56 |
19 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
101 |
[0102] Table 3 shows that the samples of the present invention achieved satisfactory results
in terms of both desilvering quality and sensitivity irrespective of the type of magenta-dye
forming coupler used.
Example 5
[0103] Additional sample Nos. 51 - 56 were prepared by modifying sample No. 32 of Example
1 in such a way that the yellow-dye forming coupler in layers B-1 and B-2 was changed
to those shown in Table 4. These samples were subjected to experiments under the same
conditions as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 4 together with the data
for sample No. 32.
Table 4
Sample No. |
Yellow coupler |
Residual silver (%) |
Relative sensitivity to red light |
|
|
|
Bleaching solution A |
Bleaching solution B |
|
|
|
|
1 min |
3 min |
20 sec |
40 sec |
|
Samples of the invention |
32 |
YB-16 |
18 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
100 |
51 |
YB-21 |
18 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
100 |
52 |
YB-15 |
17 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
101 |
53 |
YB-17 |
18 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
100 |
54 |
YB-18 |
19 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
99 |
55 |
YB-19 |
18 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
100 |
56 |
YB-20 |
19 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
100 |
[0104] Table 4 shows that the samples of the present invention achieved satisfactory results
in terms of both desilvering quality and sensitivity irrespective of the type of yellow-dye
forming coupler used.
[0105] As will be understood from the foregoing description, the present invention provides
a silver halide color photographic material that has such a good desilvering quality
that it can be desilvered in a shorter time than has been necessary in the prior art.
1. A silver halide color photographic material comprising a support, a light-sensitive
silver halide emulsion layer and a non-light-sensitive layer, said material containing
at least one of the compounds represented by the following general formulas (I) -
(XII):

where Q is the atomic group necessary to form the nitrogenous hetero ring; R₁ is
an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, a hetero ring or an amino group;

where Qo is the atomic group necessary to form the sulfureous hetero ring; X is O,
S or NR (R is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group);

where R₂ and R₃ are each independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a hydroxyl
group, a carboxyl group, an amino group, an acyl group, an aryl group or an alkenyl
group; A is

or an n₁-valent heterocyclic residue; X is =S, =O or =NR˝ (where R and R′ respectively
have the same meanings as R₂ and R₃; X′ has the same meaning as X; Z is an ammonium
group, an amino group, a nitrogenous heterocyclic residue, an alkyl group or -B-Y;
M is a divalent group of metallic atoms; R˝ is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a
cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclic residue or an amino group; n₁ - n₆
and m₁ - m₄ are each an integer of 1 - 6; m₅ is an integer of 0 - 6; B is an alkylene
group; Y is

where R₄ and R₅ respectively have the same meanings as R₂ and R₃, provided that R₂
and R₃, R and R′ and R₄ and R₅ may respectively combine to form a ring;

R₁₀ is an alkyl group or -(CH₂)
n8SO₃⊖ (provided that when R₁₀ is -(CH₂)
n8SO₃⊖, ℓ is O, and when R₁₀ is an alkyl group, ℓ is 1); G⊖ is an anion; and n₈ is an
integer of 1 - 6;

where Q₁ is the atomic group necessary to form the nitrogenous hetero ring;

where D₁, D₂, D₃ and D₄ are each a simple bond or a hydrocarbon chain; q₁, q₂, q₃
and q₄ are each 0, 1 or 2;

where X₂ is a hydrogen atom, R₁₆, -COOM′, -OH, -SO₃M′ -CONH₂, -SO₂NH₂, -NH₂, -CN,
-CO₂R₁₆, -SO₂R₁₆, -OR₁₆, -NR₁₆R₁₇, -SR₁₆, -SO₃R₁₆, -NHCOR₁₆, -NHSO₂R₁₆, -OCOR₁₆ or
-SO₂R₁₆;
Y₂ is

m₉ and n₉ are each an integer of 1 - 10; R₁₁, R₁₂, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₇ and R₁₈ are each
a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an acyl group; R₁₃ is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl
group, an acyl group or

R₁₆ is an alkyl group; R₁₉ is -NR₂₀R₂₁, -OR₂₂ or -SR₂₂; R₂₀ and R₂₁ are each a hydrogen
atom or an alkyl group; R₂₂ is the atomic group necessary to form a ring in combination
with R₁₈; R₂₀ or R₂₁ may combine with R₁₈ to form a ring; and M′ is a hydrogen atom
or a cation;

where Ar is an arylene or a divalent organic group containing an arylene group; B₂
and B₃ are each an alkylene group; R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₅ and R₂₆ are each a hydroxy-substituted
alkyl group; x and y are each 0 or 1; G′ is an anion; and z is 0, 1 or 2;

where R₂₇ and R₂₈ are each a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group or a heterocyclic
group; R₂₉ is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; R₃₀ is a hydrogen atom or a carboxyl
group;

where Z₁, Z₂, Z₃ and Z₄ are each a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom, and at least one
of these is a nitrogen atom;

where R₃₁ and R₃₂ are each a hydrogen atom or substituent; and

where R₃₃, R₃₄, R₃₅ and R₃₆ are each a hydrogen atom or a substituent.
2. A silver halide color photographic material according to claim 1 wherein said non-light-sensitive
layer contains at least one of the compounds of the general formulas (I) - (XII).
3. A silver halide color photographic material according to claim 2 wherein said non-light-sensitive
layer lies between the support and the light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer
situated closest to the support.
4. A silver halide color photographic material according to claim 1 wherein one or
more of the compounds of the general formulas (I) - (XII) are contained in a total
amount of 1 × 10⁻⁴ - 100 g per square meter of the photographic material.
5. A silver halide color photographic material according to claim 4 wherein one or
more of the compounds of the general formulas (I) - (XII) are contained in a total
amount of 1 × 10⁻² - 1 g per square meter of the photographic material.
6. A silver halide color photographic material according to claim 1 which contains
a yellow-dye forming coupler represented by the following general formula (YB-I):

where R₁ - R₇ and W are each a hydrogen atom or a substituent; preferably, R₁, R₂
and R₃, which may be the same or different, each represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen
atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, an acylamino group, a carbamoyl
group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, a sulfonamido group or a sulfamoyl group; R₄, R₅,
R₆ and R₇, which may be the same or different, each preferably represents a hydrogen
atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an acylamino group or a sulfonamide
group; W is preferably a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy
group or a dialkylamino group; X is a hydrogen atom or a group that can be eliminated,
and a preferred group that can be eliminated is represented by the following general
formula (YB-II):

where Y is a group of the non-metallic atoms necessary to form a 5- or 6-membered
ring.
7. A silver halide color photographic material according to claim 1 which contains
a magenta-dye forming coupler represented by the following general formula (M-I):

where Z is a group of the non-metallic atoms necessary to form the nitrogenous heterocyclic
ring which may contain a substituent; X is a hydrogen atom or a group capable of leaving
upon reaction with the oxidation product of a color developing agent; and R is a hydrogen
atom or a substituent.
8. A silver halide color photographic material according to claim 7 wherein the magenta-dye
forming coupler represented by the general formula (M-I) is represented more specifically
by either one of the following general formulas (M-II) to (M-VII):

where R₁ - R₈ and X respectively have the same meanings as R and X already defined.
9. A method of processing the silver halide color photographic material recited in
claim 1, which includes the step of performing bleaching in the presence of an iron
(III) complex salt of aminopolycarboxylic acid.
10. A method according to claim 9 wherein said aminopolycarboxylic acid has a molecular
weight of at least 300.
11. A method according to claim 9 wherein said iron (III) complex salt of aminopolycarboxylic
acid is used in an amount of at least 0.01 mole per liter of the processing solution
used.
12. A method according to claim 9 wherein said iron (III) complex salt of aminopolycarboxylic
acid is used in an amount of 0.05 - 0.8 moles per liter of the processing solution
used.
13. A silver halide color photographic material containing a compound of the formula
(B).Ag where B represents a nitrogen-and/or sulfur-containing compound which can be
cyclic.