Patent ID: 6110638
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: B41M,G03C,G03F,Y10S

Abstract:
A process for generation of acid, which process comprises:providing a medium comprising a first acid-generating component, the first acid-generating component being capable of generating a first acid, and a secondary acid generator, this secondary acid generator being capable of thermal decomposition to form a secondary acid, the thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator being catalyzed by the first acid;in at least part of the medium, causing formation of the first acid from the first acid-generating component; andthereafter heating the medium to cause, in said part of the medium, acid-catalyzed thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator and formation of the secondary acid,wherein the secondary acid generator has a first site bearing a first leaving group and a second site bearing a second leaving group, the first leaving group being capable of protonation by the first acid, with expulsion of the first leaving group, followed by loss of a proton from the secondary acid generator to form an unstable intermediate, which then fragments with loss of the second leaving group, accompanied by either (a) loss of a second proton; or (b) addition of a proton-containing nucleophile, followed by loss of a proton, the second leaving group, in combination with a proton, forming the secondary acid.