JPH0619070A - Developer bath - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain an ecologically safe developer bath not contg. EDTA and causing no precipitation during processing by incorporating a specified complexing agent. CONSTITUTION: A complexing agent represented by the formula as well as an active compd. and an auxiliary necessary for development is incorporated. In the formula, R is H, 1-10C alkyl, 1-10C hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl having 1-10C alkoxy and 1-10C alkyl, carboxyalkyl having 2-10C alkyl, ciicarboxyalkyl having 1-10C alkyl, etc., M is H, Li, Na or K and (n) is 1, 2, 3 or 4. The resultant developer bath may contain other auxiliaries including an anti-foggant such as benzotriazole or a boride, an antioxidant such as a sulfite and a buffer such as a boride, or carbonate besides the complexing agent and at least one kind of developer compd. such as phenol, phenolamine or pyrazolinone.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a developer bath suitable for processing photographic silver halide materials containing biologically degradable lime inhibitors.

[0002]

2. Description of the Prior Art Baths of this type generally contain ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as a lime inhibitor.

EDTA is classified as ecologically unsafe. It accumulates in wastewater because it is difficult to biodegrade. If EDTA is replaced by nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), which is said to have good biodegradability, a precipitate forms in the developer bath with the calcium and magnesium ions present in the mixed water.

[0004]

The problems presented by the present invention are as follows.
The aim is to provide an ecologically safe developer bath which is free of EDTA and does not cause any precipitation during processing.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] This time, the following general formula I

[0006]

[Chemical 2] In the formula, R is hydrogen, C _1-10 alkyl, hydroxy C _1-10 alkyl, C _1-10 alkoxy C _1-10 alkyl, carboxy C _2-10 alkyl, dicarboxy C _1-10 alkyl, carboxyhydroxy C _{1 -10} alkyl, hydroxy C _1-5 alkyl, (oxy C _1-5 alkyl) _n , C _1-5 alkoxy C
_1-5 alkyl (oxy C _1-5 alkyl) _n , M is hydrogen, lithium, sodium, potassium, and n
Is the number 1, 2, 3 or 4.

A complexing agent corresponding to
agent) does not cause any precipitation in the developer bath,
It has been found to be biodegradable and without any inconvenience in photosensitivity.

Formula I wherein R is 1-carboxyethyl or 1-hydroxyethyl and M is sodium
A complexing agent corresponding to is preferably used in the developer bath of the present invention.

The complexing agent is usually 0.5 to 100 mmol /
Used at a concentration of l. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the developer bath contains 2 to 30 mmol / l complexing agent.

An unexpected and surprising effect of the present invention is that the group of degradable complexing agents of the present invention does not form any precipitate with calcium and magnesium ions in the mixed water. Other degradable complexing agents, such as NTA, form solid precipitates after standing for several days.

The developer baths of this invention are suitable for photographic silver halide recording materials, and more particularly black and white photographic materials.

In addition to the complexing agent of the invention and at least one developer compound such as phenol, phenolamine or pyrazolinone, the developer bath is especially antifogging agents such as, for example, benzotriazoles or bromides.
Fogging agents), for example antioxidants such as sulfites, and other auxiliaries including buffers such as borates or carbonates may be included.

The developer bath preferably has a p of 8.5-12.
Has an H value.

The developer baths of this invention are routinely processed for photographic silver halide materials.
used in g).

The treatment can be carried out continuously by continuously regenerating the individual treatment baths.

The developer baths described in the examples are comparable in their developer behavior to conventional EDTA-containing developer baths.

[0017]

EXAMPLES A developer bath of the following composition was prepared with a defined concentration of calcium ions and various complexing agents were introduced in different concentrations (Table 1). None of the developer baths of the invention showed any precipitation over a 45 day observation period.
The developer bath was stored at room temperature in an open bath. The volume loss due to evaporation was compensated for by periodically filling the bath with deionized water.

Developer 1: Water (deionized) 800 ml Hydroquinone 5 g Phenidone 0.5 g Sodium sulfite 60 g Potassium bromide 3 g Sodium tetraborate 5H ₂ O 11.5 g Calcium chloride solution (80 g / l) 15 ml Complex Agents See Table 1 Adjust pH to 8.9 with KOH solution and replenish to 1 liter with deionized water.

Developer 2: Water (deionized) 800 ml Hydroquinone 6 g Phenidone 0.8 g Sodium sulfite 25 g Potassium bromide 1 g Potassium carbonate 13 g Sodium tetraborate 5H ₂ O 15 g Calcium chloride solution (80 g / l) 15 ml Complexing agent See Table 1 Adjust pH to 9.5 with KOH solution and replenish to 1 liter with deionized water.

[0020]

[Table 1] Table 1 Examples Developers Complexing agents Concentration Precipitation [mmol / l] [g / l] [-days] ―――――――――――――――――――― ――――――――――― 1 1 NTA 22 4.2 5 2 1 ADA 22 4.5 − 3 2 NTA 22 4.2 5 4 2 ADA 22 4.5 − 1 and 3: Comparative example 2 And 4: Examples of the present invention NTA = nitrilotriacetate ADA = nitrilodiacetic monopropionic acid The main features and aspects of the present invention are summarized as follows.

1. Formula I below

[0022]

[Chemical 3] In the formula, R is hydrogen, C _1-10 alkyl, hydroxy C _1-10 alkyl, C _1-10 alkoxy C _1-10 alkyl, carboxy C _2-10 alkyl, dicarboxy C _1-10 alkyl, carboxyhydroxy C _{1 -10} alkyl, hydroxy C _1-5 alkyl, (oxy C _1-5 alkyl) _n , C _1-5 alkoxy C
_1-5 alkyl (oxy C _1-5 alkyl) _n , M is hydrogen, lithium, sodium, potassium, and n
Is the number 1, 2, 3 or 4 corresponding to the complexing agent (co
Developer bath containing active compounds and auxiliaries necessary for development, characterized in that it additionally contains a plexing agent).

2. A developer bath according to claim 1, characterized in that, as further complexing agent, a compound corresponding to formula I is used, in which R is 1-carboxyethyl or 1-hydroxyethyl or M is sodium.

3. Additional complexing agent 0.5 to 100 mmo
A developer bath according to item 1, characterized in that the developer bath is contained at a concentration of 1 / l.

4. A developer bath according to any of paragraphs 1 to 3 which is suitable for the processing of black and white photographic materials.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Gustav Tuppe Germany Day 5090 Lef Erkusen 1 Kurt-Schumacher Herring 84

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. The following formula I: In the formula, R is hydrogen, C _1-10 alkyl, hydroxy C _1-10 alkyl, C _1-10 alkoxy C _1-10 alkyl, carboxy C
_2-10 alkyl, dicarboxy C _1-10 alkyl, carboxyhydroxy C _1-10 alkyl, hydroxy C _1-5 alkyl, (oxy C _1-5 alkyl) _n , C _1-5 alkoxy C _1-5
Alkyl (oxy C _1-5 alkyl) _n , M is hydrogen, lithium, sodium, potassium, and n is a number 1, 2, 3 or 4, further containing a complexing agent corresponding to A developer bath containing active compounds and auxiliaries necessary for development, characterized in that