WO1981001756A1

WO1981001756A1 - Diazonium imaging system

Info

Publication number: WO1981001756A1
Application number: PCT/US1980/001444
Authority: WO
Inventors: K Gatzke
Original assignee: Minnesota Mining & Mfg
Priority date: 1979-12-07
Filing date: 1980-10-27
Publication date: 1981-06-25
Also published as: EP0041984B1; JPS56501503A; JPH0143938B2; EP0041984A4; EP0041984A1; DE3069247D1

Abstract

Novel light sensitive, heat developable imaging system incorporating a diazonium salt and a leuco dye in a binder.

Description

DIAZONIUM IMAGING SYSTEM

Description Technical Field

A novel light sensitive, heat developable imaging system incorporating a diazonium salt and a leuco dye in a binder is disclosed. The system is useful, for example, as a microfilm duplicating sheet or a heat sensitive recording material.

Background Art

U.S. Patent 3,390,997 discloses a light-sensitive admixture of an alkylthio, benzylthio, 2-phenylhydrazino or alkoxycarbonyl derivative of a triphenylmethane compound (a "leuco dye") and a selected non-volatile nitrogen-containing compound which functions as a photooxidant useful as an imaging system. The patent does not disclose the use of diazonium salts or materials which contain a pentavalent nitrogen atom. The light sensitive compounds of the present invention differ significantly from those of the patent which contain only trivalent nitrogen atoms. Furthermore, the present invention requires elevated temperatures, 82°C to 193°C, for image development, whereas the patent disclosure is of a room temperature developing system.

An imaging system comprising a leuco dye, a diazonium salt, and nitrate ion in a binder is described in assignee's copending U.S. Patent Application, Serial Number 101,143 filed 07 December 1979. This four-part imaging system does not suggest the efficacy of the three-part imaging system of the present invention, and the chemical mechanisms in these diverse systems is believed to be different.

Disclosure of the Invention

The present invention relates to a light sensitive, heat developable imaging system comprising a polymeric binder resin, a leuco dye, and a diazonium salt. In the practice of the present invention the chemical nature of the polymer including its acid content has not been found to be a functional requirement. However, it is preferred to have an acid present (e.g., organic or inorganic acid) in the coating composition. Preferably, the acid is present in at least equimolar proportions to the diazonium salt.

Furthermore, no oxidizing anion, including nitrate ion, is a necessary component of the present invention as it is in assignee's copending application mentioned above. If any nitrate ion is present, it is in amounts of less than 0.1 mole nitrate/1.0 mole dye. Other oxidizing anions and compounds may be present in greater or lesser amounts, but are not essential in the practice of the present invention. In the present invention, the leuco dye (a clear to faintly colored material), the diazonium salt and thepolymeric binder resin are incorporated in a solvent system and cast on any substrate such as paper, polymeric film such as polyester, glass, metal, ceramics and the like. Upon irradiation by light, the diazonium salt is destroyed. The subsequent application of heat to the coating results in oxidation of the leuco dye by the diazonium salt to a colored form in the non-light struck portion of the coating. A positive-acting image is thus produced since color is generated where no light has contacted the coating.

Although the precise mechanism of the image formation is not understood, as mentioned above the reaction appears to be an oxidation of the leuco dye during heat development by the diazonium salt which has not been decomposed by incident radiation.

Detailed Description

The present invention relates to a light sensitive, heat developable layer comprising a polymeric binder, a le. o dye, and a photosensitive diazonium salt. These ingredients are preferably in a homogeneous or molecular mixture with each other. The Binder Any natural or synthetic polymeric binder may be used in the practice of the present invention. Organic polymeric resins, preferably thermoplastic resins (although thermoset resins may be used), are generally preferred. The most preferred resins are polyvinyl acetate and polyvinyl chloride copolymers. Such resins as polyvinyl acetals, polyesters, polyvinyl resins, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyamides, polyvinyl butyral, polyacrylates, cellulose esters, copolymers,and blends of these classes of resins, and others have been used with particular success. Natural polymeric materials such as gelatin and gum arabic may also be used. Where the proportions and activities of the leuco dye and diazonium salt require a particular developing time and temperature, the resin should be able to withstand those conditions. Generally it is preferred that the polymer not decompose or lose its structural integrity at 147°C for 60 seconds and most preferred that it not decompose or lose its structural integrity at 193°C for 5 minutes. Also, polymers must be compatible with the other components and solvents, in addition to having a reasonably low softening point for processability. Such polymers desirably are permeable to trapped gases. In addition to these requirements, the selected binder must be transparent or translucent and be either clear or lightly colored. This will ensure an obvious contrast with colored areas (non-light struck) after heat development. The binder may serve a number of additionally important purposes in the constructions of the present invention. The imageable materials may be protected from ambient conditions such as moisture. The consistency of the coating and its image quality are improved. The durability of the final image is also significantly improved. The binder should be present as at least 25% by weight of ingredients in the layer, more preferably as at least 50% by weight and most preferably as at least 70% by weight of dry ingredients (i.e., excluding solvents in the layer).

Dyes Leuco dyes are well known in the art. Ihese are colorless or lightly colored dyes which when subjected to an oxidation reaction form a colored dye. These leuco dyes are described in the literature (e.g., Mees and James, "The Theory of the Photographic Process", 3rd Edition, published 1966, by Macrnillan Co. (N.Y.) , see pages 283-4, 390-1; and J. Koshar, "Light-Sensitive Systems", published 1965, by Wiley and Sons, Inc. (N.Y.), see pages 367, 370-380, 406). Amongst the best known leuco dyes are leuco crystal violet (LCV) and leuco malachite green (LMG) . Only those leuco dyes which can be converted to colored dyes by oxidation are useful in the practice of the present invention. Acid or base sensitivedyes such as phenolphthalein and other indicator dyes are not useful in the present invention unless they are also oxidizable to a colored state. Indicator dyes would only form transient images or would be too sensitive to changes in the environment. The dyes which have been specifically shown to work in the present invention are discussed in detail below and include but are not limited to the following:

Leuco Crystal Violet Leuco Ethyl Violet

Leuco Malechite Green Leuco Victoria Blue-BGO

Copichem II Leuco Atacryl Yellow-R

Leuco Atacryl Orange-LGM Leuco Atlantic Fuchsine Leuco Atacryl Brilliant Red-4G Crude

The leuco dyes of the present invention become colored due to oxidation, that is, they have absorbance after coloration in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum (approximately 400 to 700 nm). The leuco dye should be present as at least about 0.3 by weight of the binder layer, preferably at least 1% by weight, and most preferably at least 2% to 10% or more by weight of the dry weight of the imageable layer.

In forming the leuco dye layer or coating of the dye layer onto a substrate, temperatures should, of course, not be used during manufacture which would colorize the layer or decompose the diazonium salts. Some slight colorization is tolerable, with the initial leuco dye concentrations chosen so as to allow for anticipated colorization. It is preferred, however, that little or no leuco dye be colorized during forming or coating so that more standardized layers can be formed. Depending on the anticipated development temperature, the coating or forming temperature can be varied. Therefore, if the anticipated development temperature were, for example, 167°C, the drying temperature could be 138 °C, and it would not be desirable for the layer to gain 20% of its optical density at the drying temperature in less than 4-5 minutes. Such a gain would be tolerable by correspondingly increasing the amount of leuco dye. There should be sufficient colorizable dye present in the colorizable layer of the present invention to provide an increase in optical density upon development of at least 0.2, more preferably 0.6, and most preferably 1.0 or greater. These increases can be measured at the development temperatures for the imaging materials, e.g., 132°C for 60 seconds. Thus the preferred limitation of at least 0.2 gain in optical density or absorbance of colorless light at 132°C for 60 seconds is based on the assumption of a development temperature of 132°C. For an anticipated higher or lower development temperature, the 0.2 gain in optical density or absorbance should occur at that development temperature within a reasonable period of time. A reasonable development temperature range is between 82°C and 193°C and a reasonable dwell time is between 5 seconds and 5 minutes, preferably at between

105°C and 167°C and for 10 to 180 seconds, with the longer times most likely associated with the lower development temperatures. Therefore, all of the absorbance characteristics are applicable to the generally useful development range of 82°C to 193°C.

Diazonium Salts Light sensitive diazonium salts are well known in the art. Ηiese salts comprise a light sensitive aromatic nucleus with an external diazonium group and an anion associated therewith (e.g., J. Kosar, " Light-Sensitive System", published 1965, by John Wiley and Sons, Inc. (N.Y.), see pages 202-214; and P.

Glafkides, "Photographic Chemistry", Vol. II, published 1960, by Fountain Press (London), see pages 709-725). They may be generally represented by the formula:

ArN⁺≡ N X- wherein Ar is an aromatic nucleus, and

X- is an anion. Any anion may be used in the diazonium salt. Anions as diverse as zinc chloride, tri-isopropyl naphthalene sulfonate, fluoroborate (i.e., BF₄-), and bisf perfluoroalkylsulfonyl)methides may be used. Ihe change in anions may affect the speed of the imaging layer, but not its function. Any light sensitive aromatic diazonium nucleus, as known in the art, may also be used in the practice of the present invention. These diazonium nuclei, particularly those belonging to the classes pyrrolidine, morpholine, aniline, and diphenyl amine and its polymers are well known in the art and include, for example, P-anilinobenzene;. N-(4-diazo-2,4-dimethoxy phenyl) pyrrolidine; 1-diazo-2, 4-diethoxy-4-morpholino benzene; 1- diazo-4-benzoyl amino-2, 5-diethoxy benzene; 4-diazo-2,5-dibutoxy phenyl morpholino; 4- diazo-1-dimethyl aniline; 1-diazo-N,N-dimethyl aniline; 1-diazo-4-N-methyl-N-hydroxyethyl aniline; etc. Additives Other materials which may be useful in the formulations of the present invention include reducers and complexors, plasticizers and polyketones, stablizers, surfactants, antistatic agents, coating aids, oxidizing materials (other than nitrate ion which may be present only in amounts less than 0.1 mole nitrate to 1.0 mole dye), inhibitors, lubricants, flexibilizers, fillers and the like. All of this will be more thoroughly understood by consideration of the following examples:

Examples 1-11 These examples examine the effect of using different binders in the formulation. Two separate solutions, A and B, were prepared. .Solution A comprised .020 g phthalic acid, .010 g catechol, .10 g Phenidone A (1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone), .200 g aromatic ketone resin, .200 g polymeric plasticizer ( ter,2,4-trimethylpentane, 1,3-diol adipate 2-ethylhexanol terminated [900-1100 molecular weight] ) and 1.060 g methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) for a total weight of 1.5 g. Solution B comprised .051 g leuco crystal violet (4, 4 ' ,4"-methyl idynetris-(N-N dimethylaniline)), .046 g leuco malachite green ( ρ, p' -benzyl idenebis- (N , N-dimethylaniline) ) , and 1. 429 g tetrahydrofuran (THF), for a total weight of 1.5 g. 1.5 g of each of solutions A and B were mixed with 0.1 g l-diazo-2,5-diethoxy-4-morpholino benzene borofluoride (DDMBB) and in each case with the stated amount( s) of binder(s), (see Table 1), to form a solution which was then coated on polyethylene terephthalate film to a thickness as noted in the table. The coated film was dried at 71°C, exposed to a mercury vapor lamp for 10⁶ meter-candle-seconds, and then developed for 60 seconds at 132°C. The optical densities in the light struck (LS) areas, also referred to as Dmin, and the non-light struck (NLS) areas, also referred to as Dmax, are recorded in Table 1.

Phthalic acid is useful in these formulations to stablize the coating solution by preventing the diazonium salt from reacting before development.

a vinyl chloride vinyl acetate vinyl alcohol (91%/3%/5.7%) terpolymer b polyester resin- organic soluble c cellulose acetate butyrate resin (Eastman 272-20) d cellulose acetate butyrate resin (Eastman 171-25) e vinyl chloride vinyl acetate (87%/13%) copolymer f butyrate resin- alcohol soluble g cellulose acetate resin h polyvinyl butyrol resin (average molecular weight 180,000-270,000) i polyvinyl butyrol resin (average molecular weight 45,000-50,000)

The change in optical density (ΔDensity), i.e., Dmax-Dmin, is of great significance and values in excess of 1.0 are of commercial practicability. Examples 6 and 11 show the greatest changes in optical density (DmaxDmin) between light struck and non-light struck areas. It appears, therefore, that vinyl acetate and vinyl chloride copolymers, VC-VA-87/13-1 and VC-VA-VAL-91/3/5.7, are the preferred resins in the practice of this invention.

Examples 12-19 These examples further investigate vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate binders. The reference solution (1.5 g each of solutions A and B, and 0.1 g DDMBB) was prepared and mixed with the stated amount of binder (Table 2), then coated and treated as in examples 1-11. Results appear below.

j vinyl chloride vinyl aceate (86%/14%) coplymer k vinyl chloride vinyl acetate (87%/13%) oopolymer- lower molecular weight than "e" l vinyl chloride vinyl acetate maleic acid (86%/13%/1% terpolvmer m vinyl chloride vinyl acetate maleic acid (84% 15%/.8%) terpolymer n vinyl chloride vinyl acetate (90%/10%) copolymer.

The binders of examples 12, 13 and 14 decrease progressively in molecular weight which correlates with a progressive decrease in softening points of these resins. It is of note that the ΔDensity increases as the softening temperature of the resin decreases, reflecting better reacting conditions in softer resins.

The binders of examples 15 and 16 are resins with acid content, a factor which did not enhance the ΔDensity. The resins of example 14 (lower molecular weight) and example 17 (hydrolyzed) provided the best ΔDensity of those tested in this group.

Examples 20-33 The following acids and a control were screened with the resin of example 14 (VC-VA 87/13-2) using in each case 0.1g DDMBB and 4.0g of a master batch solution comprising 2.0g LCV, 18.0g toluene and a solution containing 60.0g of 40% VC-VA-87/13-2, 18% MIBK, 18% ethanol and 24% MEK: Example

20 no acid

21 phthalic ac id

22 4-methylphthalic acid

23 citric acid 24 3-nitrophthalic acid

25 5-sulfosalicylic acid

26 oxalic acid

27 glutaric acid

28 benzoic acid 29 2-naphthoic acid

30 acetic acid

31 nitric acid

32 hydrochloric acid

33 toluene sulfonic acid Although the most common effect appeared to be a reduction in both optical densities, Dmin and Dmax, the opposite was also true in some cases. Only nitric acid appeared to increase the maximum density and reduce the minimum density by stabilizing the diazo and also aiding in the oxidation of the leuco dye. This is an example of the effect of nitrate ion in the formulation and is the subject of assignee's copending application mentioned above. In sum, the non-nitrate acid content of the formulation has not been found to be a significant factor in the practice of this invention.

Examples 34-52

In a search for materials which would lower the Dmin and increase the Dmax, tests were performed on the addition of small amounts (.05 g) of various reducers and complexors (antioxidants or chelating agents) in a solution of .01 g DDMBB and .85 g 1:1 methanol and acetone added to portions of a master batch comprising 2.2 g leuco crystal violet, 19.8 g toluene and 66.0 g of a solution containing 40% VC-VA-87/13-2, 10% methyl isobutyl ketone, and 50% methyl ethyl ketone. The materials tested were: Example

34 phenyl mercapto tetrazole

35 hydantoin

36 phthalazine

37 tetrachlorophthalic anhydride 38 Phenidone A

39 catechol

40 phthalazinone

41 phthalimide

42 benzotriazole 43 2-mercaptobenzothiazole

44 2-ethyl imidazole

45 thiourea

46 2-thiohydantoin

47 2,4,4-trimethylρentyl-bis-(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl methane

48 2,2'-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-tert butylphenol) 49 2, 6-bis(2'-hydroxy-3'-tert buty1-5'-methyl-benzyl)-4 methylphenol

50 1,1,3-trimethyl-5-carboxyl-3-(p-carboxylphenyl)indan

51 2,6-dichloro-4-benzenesulfonamido phenol 52 ascorbic acid

Tetrachlorophthalic anhydride, 2,4, 4- trimethylpentyl-bis (2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl)methane (TBHDM), 2,6-bis(2'hydroxy-3'-tert butyl-5'-methyl benzyl)-4-methylphenol, and 2,2'-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-tert butylphenol) showed some degree of usefulness in increasing the ΔDensity compared to experiments without these materials. Phenidone A (1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone) and ascorbic acid greatly depressed both the Dmin and Driax values and when studied at lower levels of concentration ( .01 g) were found to be useful in depressing the Dnin.

Examples 53-68 Small amounts of various polyketones, plasti cizers, metal salts, and benzoyl peroxide were screened for their possible effect in lowering the softening point of the resin using 4 g of a master batch solution comprising 2.0 g leuco crystal violet, 18.0 g toluene, and 60.0 g of a solution containing 40% VC-VA-87/13-2, 18% methyl isobutyl ketone, 18% ethanol, and 24% methyl ethyl ketone. 0.1 g EDMBB dissolved in less than 1.0 g of 1:1 methyl alcohol and acetone was added. The materials tested were: Example

53 Mg(C10₄)₂, 0.05g

54 MgBr₂ • 6H₂0, 0.05g 55 MgS0₄ • 7H₂0, 0.05g

56 Mg (NO3 }₂ • 6H₂0, 0.05g

57 MgCl₂ • 6H₂0, 0.05g

58 benzoyl peroxide, 0.05g

59 aromatic polyketone resin (Mohawk Industries (MR-85) , 0.20g 60 polyketone resin, softening point 93-104°C

(Union Carbide Bakelite 251) , 0.2g

61 polyketone resin, softening point 74-85°C (Union Carbide Bakelite 252), 0.2g 62 polymeric plasticizer ( ter,2, 4-trimethylpentane,

1,3-diol adipate 2-ethylhexanol terminated [900-1100 molecular weight] ), 0.2g

63 Eastman PA-3 (Eastman proprietary product) , 0.2g

64 triethylene glycol di-2-ethylhexoate, 0.2g 65 dimethyl cellosolve phthalate, 0.2g

66 ascorbic acid, 0.01g

67 Phenidone A, O.01g

68 control (no additive)

The results of these tests showed no dramatic improvement in ΔDensity. It was found that plasticizers and polyketones effectively lower the softening point of the polymeric binder, thereby increasing the rate of development. They have been found to be most effective in the higher softening resins (i.e. resins of higher molecular weight) as might be expected.

Examples 69-97 These examples tested the effect of variations in the diazonium salts. Using 4 g of the same master batch just described a study was made of the effect of the following 29 diazonium salts on the Δ-Density, .1 g diazonium salt being dissolved in .9 g of a solution of

50% methanol and 50% acetone.

Example

69 1-diazo-3-methyl-4-pyrrolidino benzene zinc chloride

70 N-(4-diazo-2,5-dimethoxy phenyl)pyrrolidine borofluoride

71 N-(4-diazo-2,5-diethoχy phenyl)pyrrolidine borofluoride 72 3-methyl-4-pyrrolidino benzene diazonium fluoroborate 73 3-methoxy-4-pyrrolidino benzene diazonium fluoroborate

74 1-diazo-3-methyl-4-pyrrolidino benzene chloride zinc chloride 75 1-diazo-3-methyl-4-pyrrolidino benzene chloride fluoroborate

76 1-diazo-4-morpholino benzene 1/2 zinc chloride

77 l-diazo-2,5-dibutoxy-4-morpholino benzene sulfate 78 1-diazo-2,5-diethoxy-4-morpholino benzene 1/2 zinc chloride 79 1-diazo-2,5-dimethoxy-4-morpholino benzene zinc chloride 80 4-diazo-2,5-dimethoxy phenyl morpholino zinc chloride

81 1-diazo-2,5-diethoxy-4-morρholino benzene borofluoride

82 4-diazo-2,5-dibutoxy phenyl morpholino borofluoride 83 2,5-di-n-butoxy-4-morpholino benzene diazonium chloride 1/2 zinc chloride 84 1-diazo-4-N-methyl-N-hydroxyethyl aniline 1/2 zinc chloride 85 1-diazo-4-N,N-dimethyl aniline borofluoride 86 1-diazo-2-ethoxy-4-N,N-diethyl aniline zinc chloride 87 1-diazo-4-N,N-dimethyl aniline 1/2 zinc chloride

88 4-diazo-l-dimethyl aniline zinc chloride

89 4-diazo-l-diethyl aniline zinc chloride 90 diρhenylamine-4-diazonium borofluoride

91 (condensation product) diphenylamine-4-diazonium chloride 1/2 zinc chloride + formaldehyde

92 (condensation product) p-diazo diphenylamine chloride zinc chloride + formaldehyde 93 (condensation product) diphenylamine-4-diazonium tri-isopropyl naphthalene sulfonate + formaldehyde 94 (condensation product) 4-diazo diphenylamine sulfate + formaldehyde

95 p-nitrobenzene diazonium borofluoride

96 1-diazo-4-benzoyl amino-2,5-diethoxy benzene 1/2 zinc chloride

97 2,5-diethoxy-4-(p-tolyethio) benzene diazonium chloride 1/2 zinc chloride

All of the diazonium salts proved useful in producing an image except p-nitrobenzene diazonium borofluoride which was very unstable and reacted prematurely in solution. Tests including diphenylamine-4-diazonium borofluoride (DDBF), 1-diazo-2,5-diethoxy-4-morpholino benzene borofluoride and 2,5-diethoxy-4-(p-tolyethio)benzene diazonium chloride 1/2 zinc chloride gave the highest Dmax values but the ADensity values were not improved due to correspondingly higher Dmin values.

Examples 98-127 A study was made of the most effective compounds from previous examples. A diazo solution containing 2.5 g DDBF (diphenylamine-4-diazonium borofluoride) and 22.5 g of 50% methanol/50% acetone was prepared. Also Master Batch #1 (1.6 g leuco crystal violet, 14.4 g toluene and 48.0 g of a solution containing 40% VC-VA-87/13-2 dissolved in 10% MIBK/50% MEK) and Master Batch #2 (0.8 g leuco crystal violet, 15.2 g toluene, and 48.0 g of solution containing 40% VC-VA-87/13-2 dissolved in 10% MIBK/50% MEK) were prepared. The materials listed below were also tested using 1.0 g diazo solution in 4.0 g Master Batch #1, and they were tested using 0.5 g diazo solution in 4.0 g Master Batch #2. Example

98,99 phthalic acid 100,101 nitric acid 102,103 ascorbic acid 104,105 TCCI

106,107 tetrachloro phthalic anhydride 108,109 Phenidone A

110,111 catechol

112,113 2,2' -methylenebis ( 4-methyl-6-tert butylphenol)

114,115 2 ,6-bis ( 2 ' -hydroxy-3'-tert butyl-5'-methylbenzyl) 4-methylphenol

116,117 TBHDM

118,119 Mg(C10₄)₂

120,121 Mg(N0₃)₂ • 6H₂O

122,123 MgBr₂ • 6H₂O 124,125 Benzoyl Peroxide

126,127 Aromatic polyketone resin (Mohawk Industries MR-85)

1,1,2-trimethyl-5-carboxyl-3-(p-carboxyphenyl) indan ( TCCI) and TBHDM were found to be effective in reducing the Dmin and thereby increasing the ΔDensity values to some extent.

Examples 128-129 Anylsis of formulations containing variable amounts of Phenidone A, phthalic acid, 1:1 DDMBB and DDBF, leuco crystal violet, TCCI, ascorbic acid, and a solution of 40% VC-VA-87/13-2 dissolved in 10% MIBK/50% MEK, in addition to solvents, was made. The best results were obtained from formulations of examples 128 and 129, shown below in Table 3.

Examples 130-139

These examples examine variations of the "best formulations" from the previous tests. Results are tabulated in Table 4. Initial density (D_I) refers to the optical density of the coating before exposure to light and heat and as noted previously Dmin refers to the optical density of the light struck areas after exposure to light and heat and Dmax refers to the optical density of the non-light struck area after exposure to light and heat.

1 Formulation included .010g Ascorbic acid 2 Formulation included .050g Catechol 3 Formulation included .125g DDBF 4 Formulation included 1.000g Methanol * Resin solutin was added to diazo solution rather than LCV solution ** 1-diazo-2,5-dibutoxy-4-morpholino benzene sulfate

in o rH Examples 130, 131, 135 and 139 gave borderline commercial results, the Density values being respectively 1.16, 1.00, 1.02 and .94. The resolution in these cases is excellent, being in the order of 400 line pairs per mm.

Additional experiments were run to test the effects upon the image produced by varying leuco dyes in the formulations. Leuco crystal violet and leuco male chite green were the most effective dyes in the practice of this invention. All the dyes tested and listed below were found to have utility in the present invention but the formulations must be optimized to make a useful product.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A light sensitive, heat developable layer comprising a polymeric binder, a leuco dye, and a photosensitive diazonium salt.

2. The layer according to claim 1 further comprising nitrate ion present in a mole ratio to the leuco dye of less than 0.1 nitrate ion/1.0 dye.

3. The layer of claim 2 wherein said leuco dye is present as at least 0.3% by weight of dry ingredients of the layer.

4. The layer of claim 2 wherein said leuco dye comprises at least 1% by weight of dry ingredients of said layer.

5. The layer of claim 2 wherein said leuco dye comprises 2% to 10% by weight of dry ingredients of said layer.

6. The layer of claim 2 wherein said leuco dye is present in a concentration sufficient to provide an increase in optical density upon development of at least 0.2.

7. The layer of claim 2 wherein said leuco dye is present in a concentration sufficient to provide an increase in optical density upon development of at least 0.6.

8. The layer of claim 2 wherein said leuco dye is present in a concentration sufficient to provide an increase in optical density upon development of at least 1.0.

9. The layer of claim 2 wherein said leuco dye is selected from the class consisting of leuco crystal violet and leuco malechite green.

10. The layer according to claim 2 wherein said layer comprises the diazonium salt 1-diazo-2,5-diethoxy 4-morpholino benzene borofluoride.

11. The layer according to claim 2 wherein the development temperature is between 82°C and 193°C.

12. The layer according to claim 2 wherein the development temperature is between 105°C and 167°C.

13. The layer according to claim 2 further comprising an acid.

14. The layer according to claim 2 wherein said layer comprises a binder selected from the classes consisting of polyvinyl chloride and polyvinyl acetate resins.

15. The layer according to claim 14 wherein said binder is present as at least 25% by weight of dry ingredients in the layer.

16. The layer according to claim 14 wherein said binder is present as at least 50% by weight of dry ingredients in the layer.

17. The layer according to claim 14 wherein said binder is present as at least 70% by weight of dry ingredients in the layer. AMENDED CLAIMS

(received by the International Bureau on 24 April 1981 (24.04.81))

1. A light sensitive, positive-acting, heat developable layer on a substrate, the dry ingredients of said layer comprising at least 25% by weight of a polymeric binder, at least 0.3% by weight of a leuco dye capable of being oxidized to a colored form, a sufficient amount of a photosensitive diazonium salt to oxidize said leuco dye, upon heating, to a colored form in non-light struck portions of said layer, and less than 0.1 mole nitrate ion per 1.0 mole leuco dye.

2. The layer of claim 1 wherein said leuco dye is present as at least 0.3% by weight of dry ingredients of the layer.

3. The layer of claim 1 wherein said leuco dye comprises at least 1% by weight of dry ingredients of said layer.

4. The layer of claim 1 wherein said leuco dye comprises 2% to 10% by weight of dry ingredients of said layer.

5. The layer of claim 1 wherein said leuco dye is present in a concentration sufficient to provide an increase in optical density upon development of at least 0.2.

6. The layer of claim 1 wherein said leuco dye is present in a concentration sufficient to provide an increase in optical density upon development of at least 0.6.

7. The layer of claim 1 wherein said leuco dye is present in a concentration sufficient to provide an increase in optical density upon development of at least 1.0.

8. The layer of claim 1 wherein sadi leuco dye is selected from the class consisting of leuco crystal violet and leuco malechite green.

9. The layer according to claim 1 wherein said layer comprises the diazonium salt

1-diazo-2,5-diethoxy-4-morρholino benzene borofluoride.

10. The layer according to claim 1 wherein the development temperature is between 180°F (82°C) and 380°F (193°C).

11. The layer according to claim 1 wherein the development temperature is between 220°F (105°C) and 350°F (167°C).

12. The layer according to claim 1 wherein said layer comprises a binder selected from the classes consisting of polyvinyl chloride and polyvinyl acetate resins.

13. The layer according to claim 1 wherein said binder is present as at least 50% by weight of dry ingredients in the layer.

14. The layer according to claim 1 wherein said binder is present as at least 70% by weight of dry ingredients in the layer.