Color light-sensitive material with hydroquinone reducing agent

A color light-sensitive material comprising a support having thereon at least one light-sensitive layer containing light-sensitive silver halide, and further comprising in the at least one light-sensitive layer or any other layer, independently, a binder, a reducible dye-providing compound, and a reducing agent represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein X represents --CO-- or --SO.sub.2 --; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, which may be the same or different, each represents an alkyl group, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group, any of which groups may be substituted; R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an aryl group, an acylamino group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group, an acyl group, a sulfonyl group, a carbamoyl group or a sulfamoyl group, any of which groups may be substituted; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 may be combined together to form a carbocyclic ring or a heterocyclic ring; and the reducing agent may be in the form of a dimer or a trimer through R.sup.1 or R.sup.2.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a color light-sensitive material, and more 
particularly to a color light-sensitive material which gives a positive 
color image having a high density and good color reproducibility. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Many systems for obtaining a positive color image by diffusion transfer 
processes have been proposed. 
For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,559,290, 4,356,249 and 4,358,525, 
JP-A-53-35533 (the term "JP-A" as used herein means an "unexamined 
published Japanese patent application"), JP-A-53-110827, JP-A-54-130927, 
JP-A-56-164342, JP-A-59-154445 and JP-A-62-215270 disclose methods wherein 
a dye providing compound of an oxidation type incapable of releasing a 
dye, is allowed to coexist with a reducing agent or a precursor thereof. 
The reducing agent, being present in an amount corresponding to the 
exposure amount of silver halide, is oxidized by wet development or heat 
development and the compound is reduced by the reducing agent left behind, 
without being oxidized to release a diffusing dye. EP-A-220746 and 
Japanese Published Technical Report (Kokai Giho) 87-6199 (Vol. 12, No. 
22) disclose color light-sensitive materials using a non-diffusing 
compound capable of releasing a diffusing dye by the reductive cleavage of 
an N-X bond (wherein X is an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom or a sulfur 
atom), as the compound capable of releasing a diffusing dye by a similar 
mechanism to that described above. 
However, it has been found that there is a problem in that dye images are 
highly stained when the aforesaid reducible dye providing compound 
together with a reducing agent or a precursor are used in combination with 
a silver halide emulsion. 
The use of a diffusing electron transfer agent in addition to a 
non-diffusing electron donor as a reducing agent is effective in 
inhibiting the staining of the positive image-forming light-sensitive 
material using the aforesaid reducible dye providing compound. However, 
the oxidant of the electron transfer agent formed by development diffuses 
into other layer having different color sensitivities where the electron 
donor is oxidized. Thus, the density of the image is lowered and color 
reproducibility is deteriorated. An attempt has been made to reduce the 
oxidant of the electron transfer agent so diffused by providing an 
interlayer between light-sensitive layers having different color 
sensitivities from each other and containing a reducing agent in the 
interlayer. 
However, in a diffusion transfer type light-sensitive material, there is a 
limitation on the amounts of a binder and a reducing agent which can be 
added to each layer from the viewpoints of image-forming rate, resolving 
degree, layer quality, etc. Accordingly, it has been desired to make 
further improvements in this regard. 
For example, reducing agents described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,277,553, 
JP-A-61-75344 and JP-A-61-75348 are lacking in the ability of reducing the 
oxidant of the electron transfer agent diffused and can not sufficiently 
inhibit lowering in the density of the image in unexposed area. 
Reducing agents described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,198,239 and 4,732,845, 
EP-A-351860, EP-A-284082 and EP-A-357040 and JP-A-63-198052 and 
JP-A-1-154151 can effectively reduce the oxidant of the electron transfer 
agent diffusing into the interlayer to thereby inhibit lowering in the 
density of the image in the unexposed area. However, such reducing agents 
themselves have strong reducing power, and hence a small amount of the 
reducing agent diffused reduces the reducible dye providing compound, and 
color turbidity is caused. 
Accordingly, it is desirable that the reducing agent contained in an 
interlayer of a diffusion transfer type light-sensitive material has such 
characteristics that the agent has the ability to effectively reduce the 
oxidant of the electron transfer agent and the agent itself does not have 
an adverse influence on other layers and photographic characteristics as 
described above. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An object of the present invention is to increase the density of images and 
to improve color reproducibility in a color light-sensitive material 
containing a reducible dye providing compound. 
The above and other objects and advantages in accordance with the present 
invention can be achieved by providing a color light-sensitive material 
comprising a support having thereon at least one light-sensitive layer 
containing a light-sensitive silver halide, and further comprising in the 
at least one light-sensitive layer or any layer, independently, a binder, 
a reducible dye providing compound and a reducing agent represented by 
formula (I): 
##STR2## 
wherein X represents --CO-- or --SO.sub.2 --; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, which 
may be the same or different, each represents an alkyl group, an aryl 
group or a heterocyclic group, any of which groups may be substituted; 
R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an aryl group, an 
acylamino group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an alkylthio group, an 
arylthio group, an acyl group, a sulfonyl group, a carbamoyl group or a 
sulfamoyl group, any of which groups may be substituted; R.sup.2 and 
R.sup.3 may be combined together to form a carbocyclic ring or a 
heterocyclic ring; and the reducing agent may form a dimer or a trimer 
through R.sup.1 or R.sup.2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
In formula (I), R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, which may be the same or different, 
each represents an alkyl group (including a substituted alkyl group, and 
having 1 to 100, preferably 1 to 50, more preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms, 
e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, hexyl, 2-ethylhexyl, 
2-hexyldecyl, n-dodecyl, n-heptadecyl), an aryl group (including a 
substituted aryl group, and having 6 to 100, preferably 6 to 50, more 
preferably 6 to 26 carbon atoms, e.g., phenyl, naphthyl) or a heterocyclic 
group (including a substituted heterocyclic group, and having 1 to 100, 
preferably 1 to 50, more preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms, e.g., 2-pyridyl, 
2-furyl, benzoxazolyl). 
As noted, each of these alkyl, aryl and heterocyclic groups may be 
optionally substituted by at least one substituent group. Examples of 
suitable substituent groups include an alkyl group having 1 to 99 carbon 
atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 99 carbon atoms (e.g., phenyl, naphthyl), 
an alkyloxy group having 1 to 99 carbon atoms (e.g., methoxy, myristyloxy, 
methoxyethyloxy), an aryloxy group having 6 to 99 carbon atoms (e.g., 
phenyloxy, 2,4-di-tert-amylphenoxy, 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyloxy, 
naphthyloxy), a carboxyl group, an alkylcarbonyl group having 2 to 99 
carbon atoms (e.g., acetyl, tetradecanoyl), an arylcarbonyl group having 6 
to 99 carbon atoms (e.g., benzoyl), an alkoxycarbonyl group having 2 to 99 
carbon atoms (e.g., methoxycarbonyl benzyloxycarbonyl), an aryloxycarbonyl 
group having 7 to 99 carbon atoms (e.g., phenyloxycarbonyl, 
p-tolyloxycarbonyl), an acyloxy group having 2 to 99 carbon atoms (e.g., 
acetyl, benzoyloxy, phenylaminocarbonyloxy), a sulfamoyl group having 1 to 
99 carbon atoms (e.g., N-ethylsulfamoyl, N-octadecylsulfamoyl), a 
carbamoyl group having 2 to 99 carbon atoms (e.g., N-ethylcarbamoyl, 
N-methyldodecylcarbamoyl), a sulfonamido group having 1 to 99 carbon atoms 
(e.g., methanesulfonamido, benzenesulfonamido, ethylaminosulfonamido), an 
acylamino group having 2 to 99 carbon atoms (e.g., acetylamino, benzamido, 
ethoxycarbonylamino, phenylamino carbonylamino), a diacylamino group 
having 4 to 99 carbon atoms (e.g., succinimido, hydantoinyl), a sulfonyl 
group having 1 to 99 carbon atoms (e.g., methanesulfonyl), a hydroxyl 
group, a cyano group, a nitro group and a halogen atom. 
In formula (I), R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom (e.g., 
chlorine atom, fluorine atom), a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group 
(having 6 to 100, preferably 6 to 50, more preferably 6 to 20 carbon 
atoms, e.g., phenyl, naphthyl), a substituted or unsubstituted acylamino 
group (having 2 to 100, preferably 2 to 50, more preferably 2 to 20 carbon 
atoms, e.g. acetylamino, n-butaneamido, 2-hexyldecaneamido, 
2-(2',4'-di-t-amylphenoxy)-butaneamido, benzoylamino), a substituted or 
unsubstituted alkoxy group (having 1 to 100, preferably 1 to 50, more 
preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms, e.g., methoxy, ethoxy, butoxy, 
n-octyloxy, methoxyethoxy), a substituted or unsubstituted aryloxy group 
(having 6 to 100, preferably 6 to 50, more preferably 6 to 20 carbon 
atoms, e.g., phenoxy, 4-t-octylphenoxy), a substituted or unsubstituted 
alkylthio group (having 1 to 100, preferably 1 to 50, more preferably 1 to 
20 carbon atoms, e.g., butylthio, hexadecylthio), a substituted or 
unsubstituted arylthio group (having 6 to 100, preferably 6 to 50, more 
preferably 6 to 20 carbon atoms, e.g., phenylthio, 
4-dodecyloxyphenylthio), a substituted or unsubstituted acyl group (having 
2 to 100, preferably 2 to 50, more preferably 2 to 20 carbon atoms, e.g., 
acetyl, benzoyl, lauroyl), a substituted or unsubstituted sulfonyl group 
(having 1 to 100, preferably 1 to 50, more preferably 1 to 20 carbon 
atoms, e.g., methanesulfonyl, octanesulfonyl, benzenesulfonyl, 
dodecylbenzenesulfonyl), a substituted or unsubstituted carbamoyl group 
(having 1 to 100, preferably 1 to 50, more preferably 1 to 20 carbon 
atoms, e.g., N,N-dioctylcarbamoyl) or a substituted or unsubstituted 
sulfamoyl group (having 0 to 100, preferably 0 to 50, more preferably 0 to 
20 carbon atoms, e.g., N-butylsylfamoyl, N,N-di-methylsulfamoyl). Examples 
of suitable substituent groups are the same as those difined for R.sup.1 
and R.sup.2. 
In formula (I), R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 may be combined together to preferably 
form a five-membered to eight-membered carbocyclic ring or heterocyclic 
ring. The compound may be in the form of a dimer or a trimer through 
R.sup.1 or R.sup.2. 
X represents --CO-- or --SO.sub.2 -- with --CO-- being preferred. 
In formula (I), the sum total of carbon atoms in R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and 
R.sup.3 is at least 20, but not more than 200, preferably 20 to 100, more 
preferably 20 to 60. 
In formula (I), R.sup.3 is preferably a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom. 
Examples of the compound of formula (I) which can be used in the present 
invention include, but are not limited to, the following compounds. 
##STR3## 
The compounds of the present invention can be synthesized by the following 
synthesis examples and by referring to the methods of the synthesis 
examples. 
SYNTHESIS EXAMPLE 1 
Synthesis of Compound (1) 
(1) Synthesis of N-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl) hexadecanoylamide (1-A) 
In 2 liters of acetonitrile and 96 ml of pyridine was dissolved 142.5 g of 
2,5-dimethoxyaniline. While cooling the resulting solution with ice and 
stirring it, 268.6 g of hexadecanoyl chloride was added dropwise thereto. 
After completion of dropwise addition, the mixture was stirred at room 
temperature for 3 hours. The precipitated crystal was recovered by 
filtration, washed with acetonitrile and dried to obtain 351.4 g of the 
compound (1-A). Yield: 96.4%. 
(2) Synthesis of N-(4-acetyl-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)hexadecanoylamide (1-B) 
In 150 ml of methylene chloride were dissolved 16.3 ml of acetyl chloride 
and 30.6 g of aluminum chloride. While cooling the resulting solution with 
ice, 30 g of the compound (1-A) obtained above was added thereto. The 
mixture was stirred at room temperature for one hour. The reaction mixture 
was then poured into 200 ml of ice water. After the mixture was stirred 
for 30 minutes, methylene chloride was distilled off under reduced 
pressure. The precipitated crystal was recovered by filtration and 
recrystallized from acetonitrile to obtain 28.7 g of the compound (1-B). 
Yield: 86.4%. 
(3) Synthesis of Compound (1) 
In 150 ml of toluene was dissolved 27 g of the compound (1-B). To the 
resulting solution, there was added 18.3 g of aluminum chloride. The 
mixture was stirred at 80.degree. C for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was 
then poured into 300 ml of ice water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The 
organic layer was concentrated, and the concentrate was crystallized from 
acetonitrile to obtain 12.3 g of the compound (1) as a light yellow 
crystal. Yield: 49%. Melting point: 145.degree. to 146.degree. C. 
Elemental Analysis for C.sub.24 H.sub.39 NO.sub.4 : 
Calculated (%): C: 71.08, H: 9.69, N: 3.45. 
Found (%): C 70.91, H: 9.51, N: 3.55. 
SYNTHESIS EXAMPLE 2 
Synthesis of Compound (3) 
(1) Synthesis of N-(4-benzoyl-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)hexadecanoylamide (3-A) 
In 150 ml of methylene chloride were dissolved 26.8 ml of benzoyl chloride 
and 30.6 g of aluminum chloride. While cooling the resulting solution with 
ice, 30 g of the compound (1-A) obtained above was added thereto. The 
mixture was stirred at room temperature for one hour. The reaction mixture 
was poured into 200 ml of ice water. The mixture was stirred for 20 
minutes and extracted with methylene chloride. The extract was 
concentrated and the resulting oily material was purified by means of 
silica gel column chromatography to obtain 15 g of the compound (3-A). 
Yield: 86.4%. 
(2) Synthesis of Compound (3) 
In 50 ml of toluene was dissolved 15 g of the compound (3-A) obtained 
above. To the resulting solution, there was added 10 g of aluminum 
chloride. The mixture was stirred at 80.degree. C for 3 hours. The 
reaction mixture was then poured into 100 ml of ice water and extracted 
with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was concentrated, and the 
concentrate was crystallized from acetonitrile to obtain 8.1 g of compound 
(3) as a light yellow crystal. Yield: 85.7%. Melting point: 97.degree. to 
98.degree. C. 
Elemental Analysis for C.sub.29 H.sub.41 NO.sub.4 
Calculate (%): C: 74.48, H: 8.34, N: 3.00. 
Found (%): C: 74.19, H: 8.72, N: 3.16. 
SYNTHESIS EXAMPLE 3 
Synthesis of Compound (7) 
(1) Synthesis of N-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-3,5-dinitrobenzamide (7-A) 
In 2 l of acetonitrile, 1.2 l of dimethylacetamide and 0.186 l of pyridine 
was dissolved 306.4 g of 2,5-dimethoxyaniline. While cooling the resulting 
solution with ice, 507.8 g of 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl chloride was slowly added 
thereto. While keeping the temperature of the reaction mixture at 
15.degree. C., the mixture was stirred for 3 hours and poured into 600 ml 
of water. The precipitated crystal was recovered by filtration, washed 
with acetonitrile and dried to obtain 737.5 g of the compound (7-A). 
Yield: 99%. 
(2) Synthesis of N-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-3,5-diaminobenzamide (7-B) 
In 0.28 l of water and 1.8 l of isopropanol were dispersed 413 g of reduced 
iron and 41 g of ammonium chloride. While the dispersion was heated under 
reflux, 320 g of the compound (7-A) obtained above was slowly added 
thereto over a period of 35 minutes. After the mixture was heated under 
reflux for 30 minutes, solids were recovered from the reaction mixture by 
filtration. 5 l of water was poured into the filtrate. The precipitated 
crystal was recovered by filtration and dried to obtain 203 g of the 
compound (7-B). Yield: 77%. 
(3) Synthesis of N-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-3,5-bis(2-hexyldecaneamido) 
benzamide (7-C) 
In 1.5 l of acetonitrile and 133 ml of pyridine was dissolved 220 g of the 
compound (7-B) obtained above. While cooling the resulting solution with 
ice and stirring it, 431.45 g of 2-hexyldecanoyl chloride was added 
dropwise thereto. After completion of dropwise addition, the mixture was 
stirred at room temperature for 2 hours, and 800 ml of water was added to 
the reaction mixture. The mixture was extracted with one liter of ethyl 
acetate. The organic layer was concentrated under reduced pressure. The 
concentrate was crystallized from 3 l of hexane to obtain 429.9 g of the 
compound (7--C). Yield: 75%. 
(4) Synthesis of 
N-(4-acetyl-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-3,5-bis(2-hexyldecaneamido)-benzamide 
(7-D) 
In 1.6 l of methylene chloride were dissolved 168 ml of acetyl chloride and 
315 g of aluminum chloride. While cooling the resulting solution with ice, 
400 g of the compound (7-C) obtained above was added thereto. The mixture 
was stirred at room temperature for one hour. The reaction mixture was 
then poured into 10 l of ice water, and the mixture was stirred for one 
hour. The methylene chloride layer was separated, washed twice with water 
and concentrated under reduced pressure. To the concentrate, there was 
added 2 of acetonitrile. The mixture was heated under reflux for one hour 
and then left to stand to cool it to room temperature. The resulting 
crystal was recovered by filtration to obtain 383 g of the compound (7-D). 
Yield: 93%. 
(5) Synthesis of Compound (7) 
In 1.7 l of toluene was dissolved 300 g of the compound (7-D) obtained 
above. To the resulting solution, there was added 228 g of aluminum 
chloride. The mixture was stirred at 80.degree. C. for one hour. The 
reaction mixture was poured into 2 l of ice water and extracted with ethyl 
acetate. The organic layer was concentrated, and the concentrate was 
crystallized from n-hexane/ethyl acetate (one liter/0.3 liter) to obtain 
181 g of the compound (7) as a light yellow crystal. Yield: 61%. Melting 
point: 198.degree. to 199.degree. C. 
Elemental Analysis for C.sub.47 H.sub.75 N.sub.3 O.sub.6 
Calculated (%): C: 72.55, H: 9.71, N: 5.40. 
Found (%): C: 72.34, H: 9.68, N: 5.61. 
The reducing agents of the present invention may be added to any layer from 
among silver halide emulsion layers, colorant layers, interlayers, 
protective layers, undercoat layers, etc. However, it is particularly 
preferred that the reducing agents are added to the interlayers or the 
protective layers. The amount of the reducing agent to be added to each 
layer is preferably 0.05 to 50 mmol, particularly preferably 0.1 to 5 mmol 
per m.sup.2 of the support, or preferably 0.01 to 50 mmol, particularly 
preferably 0.1 to 5 mmol per one gram of the binder in the layer to which 
the reducing agent is added. 
The reducing agents of the present invention may be added to these layers 
by any of oil dispersion method, polymer dispersion method, fine grain 
dispersion method, etc. 
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the color light-sensitive material 
of the present invention comprises a support having thereon at least two 
light-sensitive layers having different color sensitivities from each 
other and containing reducible dye providing compounds capable of forming 
or releasing diffusing dyes having different color hue from each other, 
and having an interlayer between the light-sensitive layers, wherein the 
interlayer contains a reducing agent of general formula (1). 
In general, the light-sensitive material comprises a support, a 
light-sensitive silver halide, a binder, a reducible dye providing 
compound and the above-described reducing agent, and optionally further 
contains an organic metal salt oxidizing agent, an electron transfer 
agent, etc. 
These components are often added to the same layer, but can be added to 
separate layers in a manner so that they can be reacted with each other. 
For example, a colored dye providing compound may be present in a layer 
under the silver halide emulsion layer to thereby prevent sensitivity from 
being lowered. It is preferred that an electron transfer agent is 
incorporated in the light-sensitive material. However, the electron 
transfer agent may be supplied from an external source, for example, by a 
method wherein the electron transfer agent is dispersed from a dye fixing 
element or a processing solution as described hereinafter. 
At least three silver halide emulsion layers having light sensitivity in 
different spectral regions from one another may be used in combination to 
obtain color over a wide range within the chromaticity diagram by the 
three primary colors of yellow, magenta and cyan colors. For example, a 
combination of the three layers of a blue-sensitive layer, a 
green-sensitive layer and a red-sensitive layer and a combination of a 
green-sensitive layer, a red-sensitive layer and an infrared-sensitive 
layer can be used. These light-sensitive layers can be arranged in various 
orders used for conventional color light-sensitive materials. Each of 
these light-sensitive layers may itself comprise two or more layers. 
The light-sensitive material may be provided with various conventional 
auxiliary layers such as protective layer, undercoat layer, interlayer, 
yellow filter layer, antihalation layer, back layer, etc. 
Any of silver chloride, silver bromide, silver iodobromide, silver 
chlorobromide, silver chloroiodide and silver chloroiodobromide can be 
used as silver halide in the present invention. 
Silver halide emulsions which are suitable used in the present invention 
include a surface latent image type emulsion and an internal latent image 
type emulsion. The internal latent image type emulsion in combination with 
a nucleating agent or a light fogging agent can be used as a direct 
reversal emulsion. Further, there may be used a core/shell emulsion 
wherein the interior of the grain has a different phase from that of the 
surface layer thereof. The silver halide emulsion may be a monodispersed 
type or a polydispersed type. A mixture of monodispersed emulsions may be 
used. Silver halide grains have a grain size of preferably 0.1 to 2 .mu.m, 
particularly preferably 0.2 to 1.5 .mu.m. The crystal habit of the silver 
halide grains may be any of cubic, octahedral and tetradecahedral. Tabular 
grains having a high aspect ratio can also be used. 
More specifically, any of the silver halide emulsions described in U.S. 
Pat. Nos. 4,500,626 (50th column) and 4,628,021, Research Disclosure 
(hereinafter abbreviated to RD) 17029 (1978) and JP-A-62-253159 can be 
used. 
Non-after-ripened silver halide emulsions as such may be used. Usually, the 
silver halide emulsions are chemically-sensitized. The emulsions can be 
sensitized by conventional sulfur sensitization methods, reduction 
sensitization methods, noble metal sensitization methods and selenium 
sensitization methods singly or in combination. These chemical 
sensitization methods can be carried out in the presence of a 
nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound (see, JP-A-62-53159), if 
desired. 
The coating weight of the light-sensitive silver halide in the present 
invention is generally in the range of 1 to 10 g/m.sup.2 in terms of 
silver. 
In the present invention, organic metal salts as oxidizing agents can be 
used in combination with the light-sensitive silver halide. Among organic 
metal salts, organic silver salts are particularly preferred. 
Examples of organic compounds which can be used to form the organic silver 
salt oxidizing agents include benzotriazoles, fatty acids and other 
compounds described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,626 (52nd and 53rd columns). 
The silver salts of carboxylic acids having an alkynyl group such as 
silver propiolate described in JP-A-60-113235 and acetylene silver 
described in JP-A-61-249044 are also useful. The organic silver salts may 
be used alone or in a combination of two or more of them. 
The organic silver salts are generally used in an amount of 0.01 to 10 mol, 
preferably 0.01 to 1 mol per mol of light-sensitive silver halide. The 
combined coating weight of the light-sensitive silver halide and the 
organic silver salt is preferably 50 mg to 10 g/m.sup.2 in terms of 
silver. 
In the present invention, various anti-fogging agents or photographic 
stabilizers can be used. Examples of such compounds include azoles and 
azaindenes described in RD 17643, pp. 24 to 25 (1978), nitrogen-containing 
carboxylic acids and phosphoric acids described in JP-A-59-168442, 
mercapto compounds and metal salts thereof described in JP-A-59-111636 and 
acetylene compounds described in JP-A-62-87957. 
The silver halides which are used in the present invention may be 
spectrally-sensitized with methine dyes, etc. Examples of dyes which can 
be used in the present invention include cyanine dyes, merocyanine dyes, 
complex cyanine dyes, complex merocyanine dyes, holopolar cyanine dyes, 
hemicyanine dyes, styryl dyes and hemioxonol dyes. 
Concretely, sensitizing dyes described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,617,257, 
JP-A-59-180550, JP-A-60-140335 and RD 17029, pp. 12 to 13 (1978) can be 
used. 
These sensitizing dyes may be used alone or in a combination. A combination 
of the dyes are often used for the purpose of supersensitization. 
In addition to the sensitizing dye, the emulsions may contain a dye which 
itself has no spectral sensitization effect or a compound which does not 
substantially absorb visible light, but has a supersensitization effect 
(e.g., those described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,615,641 and JP-A-63-23145). 
These sensitizing dyes may be added before, during or after chemical 
ripening, or may be added before or after the nucleation of the silver 
halide grains according to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,183,756 and 4,225,666. The 
sensitizing dyes are generally used in an amount of 10.sup.-8 to 10.sup.-2 
mol per mol of silver halide. 
Hydrophilic binders are preferred as a binder for the constituent layers of 
the light-sensitive material and the dye fixing element. Examples of 
suitable hydrophilic binders include those described in JP-A-62-253159 pp. 
26 to 28. Transparent or semitransparent hydrophilic binders are 
preferred. Examples of such hydrophilic binders include natural compounds 
such as proteins, e.g., gelatin and gelatin derivatives, cellulose 
derivatives and polysaccharide, e.g., starch, gum arabic, dextran and 
pullulan, as well as synthetic high-molecular weight compounds such as 
polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, acrylamide polymers and other 
synthetic polymers. Further, highly water-absorbing polymers, 
i.e.,homopolymers of vinyl monomers having --COOM or --SO.sub.3 M (wherein 
M is hydrogen atom or an alkali metal), copolymers of two or more of these 
vinyl monomers and copolymers of these vinyl monomers with other vinyl 
monomers (e.g., sodium methacrylate, ammonium methacrylate, Sumicagel L-5H 
manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.) described in JP-A-62-245260 
can be used. These binders may be used alone or in a combination of two or 
more of them, as desired. 
In a system wherein heat development is carried out by supplying a very 
small amount of water, the absorption of water can be rapidly made to 
occur by using the above-described highly water-absorbing polymers. 
Further, when the highly water-absorbing polymers are used in the dye 
fixing layer or a protective layer thereof, the dye can be prevented from 
being re-transferred form the dye fixing element to other materials after 
transfer. 
In the present invention, the coating weight of the binder is preferably 
not more than 20 g, more preferably not more than 10 g, particularly 
preferably not more than 7 g, per m.sup.2. 
Various polymer latexes can be contained in the constituent layers 
(including any back layer) of the light-sensitive material or the dye 
fixing element to improve the physical properties of the layers, for 
example, to stabilize dimensions, to prevent curling, sticking or cracking 
from being caused and to prevent pressure from being increased or reduced. 
Specifically, any of the polymer latexes described in JP-A-62-245258, 
JP-A-62-136648 and JP-A-62-110066 can be used. Particularly, when polymer 
latexes having a low glass transition point (not higher than 40.degree. 
C.) are used in a mordant layer, the mordant layer can be prevented from 
being cracked. When polymer latexes having a high glass transition point 
are used n the back layer, an anti-curling effect can be obtained. 
In the present invention, the compounds of formula (I) can be used together 
with reducing agents which are conventionally used in the field of 
light-sensitive materials. Further, reducing agent precursors which 
themselves do not have a reducing effect, but function as reducing agents 
by the action of a nucleophilic reagent or heat during the course of 
development, can also be employed. 
Examples of the reducing agents which can be used in the present invention 
include the reducing agents and precursors thereof described in U.S. Pat. 
Nos. 4,500,626 (49th to 50th columns), 4,483,914 (30th and 31st columns), 
4,330,617 and 4,590,152, JP-A-60-140335 (pp. 17 to 18), JP-A-57-40245, 
JP-A-56-138736, JP-A-59-178458, JP-A-59-53831, JP-A-59-182449, 
JP-A-59-192450, JP-A-60-119555, JP-A-60-128436 to JP-A-60-128439, 
JP-A-60-198540, JP-A-60-181742, JP-A-61-259293, JP-A-62-244044, 
JP-A-62-131253 to JP-A-62-131256 and EP-A2-220746 (pp. 78 to 96). 
The combinations of various reducing agents described in U.S. Pat. No. 
3,039,869 can also be used. 
When such a non-diffusing reducing agent as the compound of the present 
invention is used, an electron transfer agent and/or a precursor thereof 
in combination with the nondiffusing reducing agent may be optionally used 
to accelerate an electron transfer between the non-diffusing reducing 
agent and a developable silver halide. 
The electron transfer agent or a precursor thereof can be chosen from among 
the aforesaid reducing agents or precursors thereof. It is desirable that 
the electron transfer agents or the precursors thereof are more mobile 
than the non-diffusing reducing agents (electron donors). Particularly 
preferred electron transfer agents are 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone compounds 
and aminophenol compounds. 
The non-diffusing reducing agents (electron donors(to be used in 
combination with the electron transfer agents include the aforesaid 
reducing agents, so long as they are substantially immobile between the 
layers of the light-sensitive material. Preferred non-diffusing reducing 
agents are hydroquinones, sulfonamidophenols, sulfonamidonaphthols and 
compounds which are described as electron donors in JP-A-53-110827. 
Reducing agents other than those of formula (I) are preferably used in an 
amount of 0.01 to 20 mol, particularly preferably 0.1 to 10 mol per mol of 
silver in the layer to which they are added. 
The reducible dye providing compounds which can be used in the present 
invention include compounds having a function capable of releasing or 
diffusing imagewise a diffusing dye. The compounds of this type can be 
represented by the following formula (LI): 
EQU (Dye--Y).sub.n --Z (LI) 
wherein Dye represents a dye group, a temporarily short-waved dye group or 
a dye precursor group; Y represents a single bond or a bonding group; Z 
represents a reducible group which gives rise to a difference in the 
diffusibility of the compound represented by the formula of (Dye--Y).sub.n 
--Z in counter-correspondence to a reaction capable of reducing a 
light-sensitive silver halide to silver, or which releases Dye and gives 
rise to a difference in diffusibility between the released Dye and 
(Dye--Y).sub.n --Z; n represents 1 or 2, and when n is 2, the two Dye-Y 
groups may be the same or different. 
Concrete examples of the reducible dye providing compounds of formula (LI) 
include non-diffusing compounds which release a diffusing dye by reacting 
with a reducing agent left behind without being oxidized by development as 
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,559,290, EP-A2-220746, U.S. Pat. No. 
4,783,396 and Japanese Published Technical Report (Kokai Giho) 87-6199. 
More specifically, examples thereof include compounds which release a 
diffusing dye by an intramolecular nucleophilic substitution reaction 
after being reduced as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,139,389 and 
4,139,379, JP-A-59-185333 and JP-A-57-84453; compounds which release a 
diffusing dye by an intramolecular electron transfer reaction after being 
reduced as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,107, JP-A-59-101649, 
JP-A-61-88257 and RD 24025 (1984); compounds which release a diffusing dye 
by the cleavage of a single bond after reduction as described in West 
German Patent 3,008,588A, JP-A-56-142530 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,343,893 and 
4,619,884; nitro compounds which release a diffusing dye after electron 
acceptance as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,450,223; and compounds which 
release a diffusing dye after electron acceptance as described in U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,609,610. 
More preferred examples thereof include compounds having an electron 
attractive group and an N-X bond (wherein X is oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen 
atom) in the molecule as described in EP-A2-220746, Japanese Published 
Technical Report (Kokai Giho) 87-6199, U.S. Pat. No. 4,783,396, 
JP-A-63-201653 and JP-A-63-201654; compounds having an SO.sub.2 -X bond 
(wherein X is as defined above) and an electron attractive group in the 
molecule as described in JP-A-1-26842; compounds having a PO-X bond 
(wherein X is as defined above) and an electron attractive group in the 
molecule as described in JP-A-63-271344; and compounds having a C--X' bond 
(wherein X' has the same meaning as described above or is --SO.sub.2 --) 
and an electron attractive group in the molecule as described in 
JP-A-63-271341. There can also be used compounds which release a diffusing 
dye by the cleavage of a single bond after being reduced by .pi.-bond 
conjugated with an electron accepting group as described in JP-A-1-161237 
and JP-A-1-161342. 
Among the above-described reducible dye providing compounds, the compounds 
having an N-X bond and an electron attractive group in the molecule are 
particularly preferred. Concrete examples of such compounds include 
compounds (1) to (3), (7) to (10), (12), (13), (15), (23) to (26), (31), 
(32), (35), (36), (40), (41), (44), (53) to (59), (64) and (70) described 
in EP-A2-220746 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,783,396 and compounds (11) to (23) 
described in Japanese Published Technical Report (Kokai Giho) 87-6199. 
Hydrophobic additives, such as the dye providing compounds and the 
non-diffusing reducing agents, can be introduced into the layers of the 
light-sensitive material by conventional methods such as a method 
described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,322,027. In this case, there can be used 
high-boiling organic solvents described in JP-A-59-83154, JP-A-59-178451, 
JP-A-59-178452, JP-A-59-178453, JP-A-59-178454, JP-A-59-178455 and 
JP-A-59-178457, optionally together with low-boiling organic solvents 
having a boiling point of 50.degree. to 160.degree. C. 
The high-boiling organic solvents are generally used in an amount of not 
more than 10 g, preferably not more than 5 g per one gram of the dye 
providing compound, or in an amount of preferably not more than 1 cc, more 
preferably not more than 0.5 cc, particularly preferably not more than 0.3 
cc per one gram of the binder. 
Dispersion methods using polymers as described in JP-B-51-39853 (the term 
"JP-B" as used herein means an "examined Japanese patent publication") and 
JP-A-51-59943 can also be used. 
When compounds are substantially insoluble in water, the compounds can be 
dispersed in the binder in the form of fine particles to introduce them 
into the layers. 
When hydrophobic compounds are dispersed in a hydrophilic colloid, various 
surfactants can be used. Examples of the surfactants include those 
described in JP-A-59-157636 (pp. 37 to 38). 
The light-sensitive material of the present invention may contain compounds 
which activate development and stabilize the image. Examples of suitable 
compounds which can be preferably used include those described in U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,500,626 (51st and 52nd columns). 
A dye fixing element together with the light-sensitive material is used in 
a system wherein an image is formed by the diffusion transfer of a dye. 
The dye fixing element and the light-sensitive material may be coated on 
separate supports, or on the same support. The relationship between the 
light-sensitive layer and the dye fixing element, the relationship with 
the supports and the relationship with a white light reflecting layer as 
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,626 (57th column) can be applied to the 
present invention. 
The dye fixing element preferably used in the present invention has at 
least one layer containing a mordant and a binder. Mordants which are 
known in the field of photography can be used. Examples of suitable 
mordants include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,626 (58th and 59th 
columns), JP-A-61-88256 (pp. 32 to 41), JP-A-62-244043 and JP-A-62-244036. 
Further, dye-accepting high-molecular weight compounds described in U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,463,079 may be used. 
The dye fixing element may be provided with auxiliary layers such as a 
protective layer, a release layer, an anti-curling layer, etc. The 
provision of a protective layer is particularly useful. 
The constituent layers of the light-sensitive material and the dye fixing 
element may contain plasticizers, slipping agents or high-boiling organic 
solvents as releasability improvers between the light-sensitive material 
and the dye fixing element. Concrete examples of these compounds include 
those described in JP-A-62-253159 (page 25) and JP-A-62-245253. 
Further, various silicone oils (any of silicone oils ranging from dimethyl 
silicone to modified silicone oils obtained by introducing organic groups 
into dimethylsiloxane) can be used for the above-described purpose. For 
example, various modified silicone oils, particularly carboxyl 
group-modified silicone (Trade name: X-22-3710) described in Technical 
data p-6-18 B, "Modified Silicone Oil" issued by Shin-Etsu Silicone KK, 
are effectively used. 
Silicone oils described in JP-A-62-215953 and JP-A-63-46449 are also 
effective. 
The light-sensitive material and the dye fixing element may contain 
anti-fading agents. Suitable anti-fading agent include antioxidants, 
ultraviolet light absorbers and certain metal complexes. 
Examples of suitable antioxidants include chroman compounds, coumaran 
compounds, phenolic compounds (e.g., hindered phenols), hydroquinone 
derivatives, hindered amine derivatives and spiro-indane compounds. 
Compounds described in JP-A-61-159644 are also effective. 
Examples of suitable ultraviolet light absorbers include benzotriazole 
compounds (as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,533,794), 4-thiazolidone 
compounds (as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,352,681), benzophenone 
compounds (as described in JP-A-46-2784) and compounds described in 
JP-A-54-48535, JP-A-62-136641 and JP-A-61-88256. Further, ultraviolet 
light absorbing polymers described in JP-A-62-260152 are also effective. 
Examples of suitable metal complexes include compounds described in U.S. 
Pat. Nos. 4,241,155, 4,245,018 (3rd to 36th columns) and 4,254,195 (3rd to 
8th columns), JP-A-62-174741, JP-A-61-88256 (pp. 27 to 29), 
JP-A-63-199248, JP-A-1-75568 and JP-A-1-74272. 
Examples of useful anti-fading agents are described in JP-A-62-215272 (pp. 
125 to 137). 
Anti-fading agents for preventing a dye transferred to the dye fixing 
element from being faded may be previously incorporated in the dye fixing 
element, or may be supplied to the dye fixing element from an external 
source such as the light-sensitive material. 
The above-described antioxidants, ultraviolet light absorbers and metal 
complexes may be used in combination, if desired. 
The light-sensitive material and the dye fixing element may contain a 
fluorescent brightener. It is particularly preferred that the fluorescent 
brightener is incorporated in the dye fixing element or is supplied from 
an external source such as the light-sensitive material. Examples of 
suitable fluorescent brighteners include compounds described in K. 
Veenkataraman, The Chemistry of Synthetic Dyes, Vol. V, Chapter 8 and 
JP-A-61-143752. More specifically, examples of such compounds include 
stilbene compounds, coumarin compounds, biphenyl compounds, benzoxazolyl 
compounds, naphthalimide compounds, pyrazoline compounds and carbostyryl 
compounds. 
A combination of a fluorescent brightener and anti-fading agent can be 
used, if desired. 
Hardening agents which can be used in the constituent layers of the 
light-sensitive material and the dye fixing element include those 
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,739 (41st column), JP-A-59-116655, 
JP-A-62-245261 and JP-A-61-18942. More specifically, examples of the 
hardening agents include aldehyde hardening agents (e.g., formaldehyde), 
aziridine hardening agents, epoxy hardening agents, vinyl sulfone 
hardening agents (e.g., N,N'-ethylene-bis(vinylsulfonylacetamido)ethane), 
N-methylol hardening agents (e.g., dimethylol urea) and high-molecular 
weight hardening agents (e.g., compounds described in JP-A-62-234157). 
The constituent layers of the light-sensitive material and the dye fixing 
element may contain various surfactants as a coating aid or to improve 
releasability or slipperiness, to impart antistatic properties or to 
accelerate development. Concrete examples of suitable surfactants are 
described in JP-A-62-173463 and JP-A-62-183457. 
The constituent layers of the light-sensitive material and the dye fixing 
element may contain organofluoro compounds to improve slipperiness or 
releasability or to impart antistatic properties. Typical examples of 
suitable organofluoro compounds include fluorine-containing surfactants 
described in JP-B-57-9053 (8th to 17th columns), JP-A-61-20944 and 
JP-A-62-135826 and hydrophobic fluoro compounds such as oily fluoro 
compounds, e.g., fluorine-containing oil and solid fluoro compound resins, 
e.g., tetrafluoroethylene resin. 
The light-sensitive material and the dye fixing element may contain matting 
agents. Examples of suitable matting agents include compounds such as 
silicon dioxide, polyolefins and polymethacrylates described in 
JP-A-61-88256 (page 29) and compounds such as benzoguanamine resin beads, 
polycarbonate resin beads and AS resin beads described in JP-A-63-274944 
and JP-A-63-274952. 
Further, the constituent layers of the light-sensitive material and the dye 
fixing element may contain heat solvents, anti-foaming agents, 
antibacterial and antifungal agents and colloidal silica. Examples of 
these additives are described in JP-A-61-88256 (pp. 26 to 32). 
In the present invention, the light-sensitive material and/or the dye 
fixing element may contain image forming accelerators. The image forming 
accelerators have functions capable of accelerating a redox reduction 
between the silver salt oxidizing agent and the reducing agent, a reaction 
for forming a dye from the dye providing material, a reaction for 
decomposing the dye or a reaction for releasing a diffusing dye and 
accelerating the migration of the dye from the light-sensitive material to 
the dye fixing layer. From the viewpoint of physical and chemical 
functions, the image forming accelerators can be classified into base or 
base precursor, nucleophilic compound, high-boiling organic solvent (oil), 
heat solvent, surfactant and compound having an interaction with silver or 
silver ion. However, these material groups have generally a composite 
function, and usually have two or more functions of the above-described 
accelerating effects. The details thereof are described in U.S. Pat. No. 
4,678,739 (38th to 40th columns). 
The base precursor includes the salts of bases with organic acids which are 
decarboxylated by heat and compounds which release an amine by an 
intramolecular nucleophilic substitution reaction, Lossen rearrangement or 
Beckmann rearrangement. Specific examples thereof are described in U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,511,493 and JP-A-62-65038. 
In a system wherein heat development and the transfer of the dye are 
simultaneously carried out in the presence of a small amount of water, it 
is preferred from the viewpoint of enhancing the preservability of the 
light-sensitive material that the base and/or the base precursor are/is 
incorporated in the dye fixing element. 
Further, as base precursors, the combinations of difficultly soluble metal 
compounds with compounds, referred to as complex forming compounds, 
capable of reacting with metal ions to form a complex (the metal ions 
being those which form the above difficultly soluble metal compounds), 
such as described in EP-A-210660 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,740,445, as well as 
compounds which form a base by electrolysis, as described in 
JP-A-61-232451. The former type of precursor is particularly effective. It 
is preferred that the difficultly soluble metal compound and the complex 
forming compound are separately added to the light-sensitive material and 
the dye fixing element, respectively. 
When development is carried out by using a processing solution, the base 
and/or the base precursor may be contained in the processing solution, if 
desired. 
In the present invention, the light-sensitive material and/or the dye 
fixing element may contain a development stopping agent to constantly 
obtain a uniform image, even though the processing temperature and the 
processing time fluctuate during the course of development. 
The term "development stopping agent" as used herein refers to a compound 
which rapidly neutralizes the base or is rapidly reacted with the base 
after normal development to lower the concentration of the base in the 
layer and to thereby stop development, or a compound which restrains 
development by an interaction with silver and a silver salt. Concretely, 
examples of the development stopping agent include acid polymers which 
neutralize the base; acid precursors which release an acid by heating; 
electrophilic compounds which undergo a substitution reaction with the 
coexisting base; and nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds, mercapto 
compounds and precursors thereof. The details thereof are described, for 
example, in JP-A-62-253159 (pp. 31 to 32). 
Materials capable of withstanding the processing temperature are used as 
supports for the light-sensitive material and the dye fixing element in 
the present invention. Generally, paper and synthetic high-molecular 
weight materials (films) are used. More specifically, examples of the 
materials which can be used as the supports include films of polyethylene 
terephthalate, polycarbonates, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, 
polypropylene, polyimides, celluloses (e.g., triacetylcellulose), films 
obtained by incorporating a pigment such as titanium dioxide in the films 
of these polymers, the films of synthetic paper made of polypropylene, 
etc., a blended pulp paper prepared from a synthetic resin pulp such as 
polyethylene and natural pulp, Yankee paper, barayta paper, coated paper 
(particularly cast coated paper), metals, cloth and glass. 
These materials may be used alone. One side or both sides of the material 
may be laminated with a synthetic high-molecular weight material such as 
polyethylene, and the resulting laminated support may be used. 
In addition, supports described in JP-A-62-253159 (pp. 29 to 31) can be 
used. 
A hydrophilic binder, a semiconductive metal oxide such as alumina sol or 
tin oxide, carbon black and an antistatic agent may be coated on the 
surfaces of the supports. 
Methods for exposing the light-sensitive material to light and recording an 
image thereon include a method wherein scenery, people or the like are 
directly photographed by using a camera; a method wherein exposure is made 
through a reversal film or a negative film by using a printer or an 
enlarger; a method wherein the original image is subjected to scanning 
exposure through a slit by using the exposure device of a copying machine; 
a method wherein image information is converted into electric signals, and 
exposure is made by emitting light from a light emitting diode or laser; 
and a method wherein image information is outputted to an image display 
device such as a CRT, a liquid crystal display, an electroluminescence 
display or a plasma display, and exposure is made directly or through an 
optical system. 
Light sources for recording an image on the light-sensitive material 
include natural light, tungsten lamp, light emitting diodes, laser beam 
sources and CRT light sources as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,626 
(56th column). 
The exposure of an image can be made by using a wavelength converting 
device composed of a combination of a non-linear optical element and a 
coherent light source such as laser beam. The term "non-linear optical 
material" as used herein refers to a material which exhibits non-linearity 
between an electric field and polarization formed when an intense 
photoelectrode such as a laser beam is applied thereto. Preferred examples 
of the material include inorganic compounds such as typically lithium 
niobate, potassium dihydrogen-phosphate (KDP), lithium iodate and 
BaB.sub.2 O.sub.4 ; urea derivatives; nitroaniline derivatives; 
nitropyridine-N-oxide derivatives such as 3-methyl-4-nitropyridine-N-oxide 
(POM); and compounds described in JP-A-61-53462 and JP-A-62-210432. A 
single crystal light waveguide path type and a fiber type are known as 
suitable forms of the wavelength converting device. Any of them is useful. 
Examples of picture signals from the above image information include 
picture signals obtained from a video camera and an electron still camera, 
television signals according to Nippon Television Signal Code (NTSC), 
picture signals obtained by dividing the original into many pixels by 
means of a scanner, and picture signals produced by means of a computer 
such as typically CG or CAD. 
The light-sensitive material and/or the dye fixing element may be provided 
with an electrically conductive heating element layer as a heating means 
for heat development or the diffusion transfer of the dye. In this case 
the transparent or opaque heating element described in JP-A-61-145544 can 
be used. These electrically conductive layers function as an antistatic 
layer. 
Development can be effected at a heating temperature of about 50.degree. to 
about 250.degree. C. in the heat development stage. A heating temperature 
in the range of about 80.degree. to about 180.degree. C. is particularly 
preferred. The diffusion transfer stage of the dye may be carried out 
simultaneously with heat development or after completion of the heat 
development stage. In the latter case, transfer can be effected in the 
transfer stage at a heating temperature ranging from the temperature in 
the heat development stage to room temperature. However, a heating 
temperature of not lower than about 50.degree. C., but lower by about 
10.degree. C. than the temperature in the heat development stage is 
particularly preferred. 
The transfer of the dye can be effected only by heat if desired, but also a 
solvent may be used to accelerate the transfer of the dye. A method 
wherein development and transfer are carried out simultaneously or 
continuously by heating in the presence of a small amount of a solvent 
(particularly water) as described in JP-A-59-218443 and JP-A-61-238056, is 
likewise useful. In this method, the heating temperature is preferably not 
lower than 50.degree. C., but not higher than the boiling point of the 
solvent. For example, when the solvent is water, the heating temperature 
is preferably not lower than 50.degree. C., but not higher than 
100.degree. C. 
Examples of the solvent which may be used to accelerate development and/or 
to transfer the diffusing dye to the dye fixing layer include water and 
aqueous basic solutions containing an inorganic alkali metal salt or an 
organic base (examples of the base include those described above in the 
discussion of the image forming accelerators). Further, low-boiling 
solvents and mixed solutions of the low-boiling solvents and water or the 
aqueous basic solutions can be used. Furthermore, the solvents may contain 
surfactants, anti-fogging agents, difficultly soluble metal salts and 
complex forming compounds. 
Methods for applying the solvent to the light-sensitive layer or the dye 
fixing layer include those described in JP-A-61-147244 (page 26). The 
solvent is encapsulated and may be previously incorporated in either one 
or both of the light-sensitive material and the dye fixing element. 
Further, a method wherein the solvent is contained as a processing solution 
in a pod and uniformly spread between the light-sensitive material and the 
dye fixing layer may be employed. 
A hydrophilic heat solvent which is a solid at room temperature, but which 
is molten at an elevated temperature may be contained in the 
light-sensitive material or the dye fixing element. The hydrophilic heat 
solvent may be contained in either one or both of the light-sensitive 
material and the dye fixing element. The heat solvent may be contained in 
any of the emulsion layer, the interlayer, the protective layer and the 
dye fixing layer, but it is preferred that the solvent is contained in the 
dye fixing layer and/or a layer adjacent thereto. 
Examples of the heat solvent include ureas, pyridines, amides, 
sulfonamides, imides, alcohols, oximes and other heterocyclic compounds. 
If desired, the high-boiling organic solvent may be contained in the 
light-sensitive material and/or the dye fixing element to accelerate the 
transfer of the dye. 
Heating methods in the development stage and/or in the transfer stage 
include a method wherein the light-sensitive material is brought into 
contact with a heated block, a method wherein the light-sensitive material 
is brought into contact with a hot plate, a hot presser, a hot roller, a 
halogen lamp heater or an infrared or far infrared lamp heater, and a 
method wherein the light-sensitive material is passed through a 
high-temperature atmosphere. 
A method for applying pressure to the laminate of the light-sensitive 
material and the dye fixing element and pressure conditions for bringing 
them in close contact with each other as described in JP-A-61-47244 (page 
27) can be applied to the present invention. 
Any of various heat development devices can be used to process the 
photographic element of the present invention. For examples, devices 
described in JP-A-59-75247, JP-A-59-177547, JP-A-59-181353, JP-A-60-18951 
and JP-A-U-62-25944 (the term "JP-A-U" as used herein means an "unexamined 
published Japanese utility model application") can be preferably used. 
Development systems for general instant films can be also be used. 
The present invention is now illustrated in greater detail by reference to 
the following Examples which, however, are not to be construed as limiting 
the present invention in any way. 
EXAMPLE 1 
A light-sensitive element having a layer structure as in the following 
Table 1 was prepared, and is referred to as light-sensitive element 101. 
The silver halide emulsions used were prepared according to the description 
of page 25, line 54 to page 28, line 7 of EP-A-357040 (also in Example 2 
and 3 of the present invention). 
Further, a dye fixing element having a layer structure as indicated in the 
following Table 2-A was prepared, and is referred to as dye fixing element 
(1). 
The fluorescent brightener (1), the antistaining agent (1) and the 
high-boiling organic solvent (1) in the second layer of the following 
Table 2-B were emulsified by using the surfactant (4) and added as an 
emulsion. 
TABLE 1 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
The structure of light-sensitive element 101 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Layer No. 
Name of layer 
Additive Coating weight (mg/m.sup.2) 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Sixth layer 
Protective layer 
Gelatin 900 
Silica 40 
(particle size: 4 .mu.m) 
Zinc hydroxide 
900 
Surfactant (2) 
130 
Fifth layer 
Blue-sensitive 
Blue-sensitive silver 
380 
emulsion layer 
halide emulsion 
in terms of silver 
Yellow dye providing 
400 
compound (1) 
Gelatin 600 
Electron donor (1) 
212 
High-boiling solvent (1) 
200 
Electron transfer 
15 
agent precursor (1) 
Anti-fogging agent (1) 
0.6 
Surfactant (1) 
46 
Fourth layer 
Interlayer 
Gelatin 700 
Reducing agent A 
130 
Anti-fogging agent 
30 
precursor (1) 
High-boiling solvent (1) 
48 
Surfactant (2) 
61 
Electron transfer 
80 
agent (1) 
Hardening agent (1) 
37 
Surfactant (1) 
5 
Third layer 
Green-sensitive 
Green-sensitive silver 
220 
emulsion layer 
halide emulsion 
in terms of silver 
Magenta dye providing 
365 
compound (2) 
Gelatin 310 
Electron donor (1) 
111 
High-boiling solvent (1) 
183 
Electron transfer 
15 
agent precursor (1) 
Anti-fogging agent (2) 
0.3 
Surfactant (1) 
33 
Second layer 
Interlayer 
Gelatin 790 
Zinc hydroxide 
300 
Reducing agent A 
130 
High-boiling solvent (1) 
73 
Surfactant (2) 
100 
Surfactant (1) 
5 
Activated carbon 
25 
Anti-fogging agent 
30 
precursor (1) 
First layer 
Red-sensitive 
Red-sensitive silver 
230 
emulsion layer 
halide emulsion 
in terms of silver 
Cyan dye providing 
343 
compound (3) 
Gelatin 330 
Electron donor (1) 
114 
High-boiling solvent (1) 
172 
Electron transfer 
17 
agent precursor (1) 
Anti-fogging agent (3) 
0.7 
Surfactant (1) 
33 
Support: 
polyethylene terephthalate of 96 .mu.m (carbon black was coated on 
the back 
layer) 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Certain materials mentioned above are defined below: 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Surfactant (1) 
##STR4## 
Anti-fogging agent (1) 
##STR5## 
Electron donor (1) 
##STR6## 
High-boiling solvent (1) 
##STR7## 
Electron transfer agent precursor (1) 
##STR8## 
Surfactant (2) 
##STR9## 
Electron transfer agent (1) 
##STR10## 
Anti-fogging agent precursor (1) 
##STR11## 
Hardening agent (1) 
CH.sub.2 CHSO.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CONH(CH.sub.2).sub.2 NHCOCH.sub.2 SO.sub.2 
CHH.sub.2 (1)-1 
CH.sub.2 CHSO.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CONH(CH.sub.2).sub.3 NHCOCH.sub.2 SO.sub.2 
CHH.sub.2 (1)-2 
A 3:1 mixture of (1)-1 and (1)-2 
Anti-fogging agent (2) 
##STR12## 
Anti-fogging agent (3) 
##STR13## 
Dye-providing compound (1) 
##STR14## 
Dye-providing compound (2) 
##STR15## 
Dye-providing compound (3) 
##STR16## 
Reducing agent A 
##STR17## 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
TABLE 2-A 
______________________________________ 
The structure of dye-fixing element (1) 
______________________________________ 
Surface layer (1) having a layer structure indicated 
in Table 2-B 
Support (1) having a structure indicated in Table 2-D 
Back layer (1) having a layer structure indicated in 
Table 2-C 
______________________________________ 
TABLE 2-B 
______________________________________ 
The structure of the surface layer (1) 
Amount 
Layer No. Additive (g/m.sup.2) 
______________________________________ 
Fourth Layer 
Water-soluble polymer (1) 
0.25 
Water-soluble polymer (2) 
0.07 
Picolinic acid guanidine 
0.45 
Surfactant (1) 0.01 
Surfactant (2) 0.10 
Surfactant (3) 0.03 
Third Layer 
Gelatin 0.25 
Water-soluble polymer (1) 
0.02 
Surfactant (1) 0.005 
Surfactant (2) 0.005 
Hardening agent (1) 0.16 
Second Layer 
Gelatin 1.40 
Water-soluble polymer (1) 
0.20 
Water-soluble polymer (3) 
0.60 
Mordant (1) 2.40 
Picolinic acid guanidine 
2.20 
Fluorescent brightener (1) 
0.055 
Anti-staining agent (1) 
0.060 
High-boiling organic solvent (1) 
1.40 
Surfactant (4) 0.025 
First Layer 
Gelatin 0.25 
Water-soluble polymer (1) 
0.02 
Surfactant (1) 0.005 
Surfactant (2) 0.005 
Hardening agent (1) 0.16 
______________________________________ 
TABLE 2-C 
______________________________________ 
The structure of the back layer (1) 
Amount 
Layer No. Additive (g/m.sup.2) 
______________________________________ 
First back Gelatin 3.00 
layer Water-soluble polymer (4) 
0.04 
Surfactant (1) 0.05 
Hardening agent (1) 
0.13 
Second back Gelatin 0.37 
layer Water-soluble polymer (4) 
0.005 
Surfactant (1) 0.045 
Surfactant (5) 0.011 
Matting agent (1) 
0.03 
______________________________________ 
TABLE 2-D 
______________________________________ 
The structure of the support (1) 
Layer 
Thick- 
ness 
Name of Layer 
Composition (.mu.m) 
______________________________________ 
Surface under- 
Gelatin 0.1 
coat layer 
Surface PE 
Low-density polyethylene 
20.0 
layer (glossy) 
(density: 0.923): 
89.2 parts 
Surface-treated titanium oxide: 
10.0 parts 
Ultramarine: 0.8 part.sup. 
Pulp layer 
Best quality paper 73.0 
(LBKP/NBKP = 1:1, density: 1.080) 
Back PE high-density polyethylene 
18.0 
layer (mat) 
(density: 0.960) 
Back under- 
Gelatin 0.05 
coat layer 
Colloidal silica 0.05 
Total 111.2 
______________________________________ 
TABLE 2-E 
______________________________________ 
The structure of the support (1) 
______________________________________ 
Item Unit Physical value 
Measuring method 
______________________________________ 
Stiffness g 4.40/3.15 Taper stiffness meter 
(length/width) 
Whiteness L* 94.20 CLE L* a* b* 
a* +0.12 
b* -2.75 
______________________________________ 
Further materials mentioned above are defined below: 
______________________________________ 
Water-soluble polymer (1): 
Sumikagel L5-H (manufactured by Sumitomo 
Chemical Co., Ltd) 
Water-soluble polymer (2): 
Copper carrageenan (manufactured by Taito KK) 
Water-soluble polymer (3): 
Dextran (molecular weight: 70,000) 
Water-soluble polymer (4): 
##STR18## 
Surfactant (1) 
##STR19## 
Surfactant (2) 
##STR20## 
Surfactant (3) 
##STR21## 
Surfactant (4) 
##STR22## 
Surfactant (5) 
##STR23## 
Hardening agent (1) 
##STR24## 
Fluorescent brightener: 
2,5-Bis(5-t-benzoxazoyly (2))-thiophene 
High-boiling organic solvent: 
EMA (manufactured by Ajinomoto Co., Ltd.) 
Matting agent: 
Benzoguanamine resin (average particle size: 15 .mu.m) 
Mordant (1) 
##STR25## 
Anti-staining agent (1) 
##STR26## 
______________________________________ 
Each of light-sensitive elements 102 to 110 was prepared in the same manner 
as in the preparation of the light-sensitive element 101 except that each 
of the reducing agents of the present invention and comparative reducing 
agents indicated in Table 3 in an amount indicated in Table 3 was used in 
place of the reducing agent A used in the second and fourth layers of 
Table 1. 
The above light-sensitive elements and the above dye-fixing element were 
processed by using an image recording device described in JP-A-2-84634. 
Namely, the original image (a test chart on which yellow, magenta, cyan and 
gray wedges being recorded and density being continuously changed) was 
scanned through a slit on the light-sensitive element, and the 
light-sensitive element was exposed to light. The light-sensitive element 
was immersed in water kept at 40.degree. C. for 5 seconds and squeezed by 
means of rollers. Immediately thereafter, the light-sensitive element and 
the dye-fixing element were put upon each other so as to allow the layer 
surfaces thereof to be brought into close contact with each other. The 
laminate was heated for 15 seconds by using heated rollers whose 
temperature was controlled so that the temperature of the surface of the 
layer which absorbed water became 80.degree. C. The light-sensitive 
element and the dye-fixing element were then peeled off from each other. 
On the dye-fixing element, there was obtained a fresh color image 
corresponding to the original image. 
Cyan density at a magenta image density of 1.5 and magenta density at a 
cyan image density of 1.5 were measured with X-Rite to examine color 
turbidity. Further, visual density, i.e., the maximum density (Dmax) and 
the minimum density (Dmin) in gray areas were measured. The results are 
shown in Table 3. 
TABLE 3 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Light- 
Reducing agent in interlayer 
sensitive Amount in 
Amount in 
Cyan density 
Magenta 
Maximum 
Minimum 
element the 2nd layer 
the 4th layer 
in magenta 
density in 
density 
density 
No. Type (mg/m.sup.2) 
(mg/m.sup.2) 
image cyan image 
(Dmax) 
(Dmin) 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
101 Reducing agent A 
130 130 0.30 0.45 2.2 0.15 
(comp. Ex.) 
102 Reducing agent B 
120 100 0.38 0.53 2.1 0.24 
(comp. Ex.) 
103 Reducing agent C 
130 130 0.30 0.44 2.2 0.18 
(comp. Ex.) 
104 Reducing agent D 
100 100 0.34 0.47 2.1 0.15 
(comp. Ex.) 
105 Reducing agent E 
80 80 0.31 0.46 2.2 0.15 
(comp. Ex.) 
106 Reducing agent (2) 
75 75 0.24 0.39 2.3 0.16 
(Invention) 
107 Reducing agent (4) 
85 85 0.23 0.39 2.2 0.15 
(Invention) 
108 Reducing agent (7) 
140 140 0.20 0.37 2.2 0.14 
(Invention) 
109 Reducing agent (10) 
90 90 0.23 0.39 2.2 0.14 
(Invention) 
110 Reducing agent (14) 
110 110 0.21 0.38 2.1 0.14 
(Invention) 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Reducing agent B 
##STR27## 
(Compound described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,198,239) 
Reducing agent C 
##STR28## 
(Compound described in JP-A-63-198052 and EP-A-357040) 
Reducing agent D 
##STR29## 
(Compound described in EP-A-351860) 
Reducing agent E 
##STR30## 
(Compound described in EP-A-351860) 
Reducings agents (2), (4), (7), (10) and (14) are set forth in the 
general description of the invention above, and are covered by formula 
It is apparent from Table 3 that when the reducing agents of the present 
invention are used in the interlayers, color turbidity is surprisingly low 
and sufficient Dmax and Dmin can be obtained. 
EXAMPLE 2 
A light-sensitive element having a layer structure as indicated in Table 4 
was prepared, and is referred to as light-sensitive element 201. Additives 
used in the light-sensitive element 201 had the same structure as those of 
the additives used in the light-sensitive element 101 unless otherwise 
specifically indicated. 
A dye-fixing element (2) having the same structure as that of the 
dye-fixing element (1) was prepared except that the amount of picolinic 
acid guanidine used in the second layer was reduced to 1.00 g/m.sup.2. 
TABLE 4 
______________________________________ 
The structure of the light-sensitive element 201 
Coating 
Layer Name of weight 
No. layer Additive (mg/m.sup.2) 
______________________________________ 
Fourth Protective Gelatin 900 
layer layer Silica (particle size: 4 .mu.m) 
40 
Zinc hydroxide 900 
Surfactant (1) 130 
Third Magenta color 
Magenta dye providing 
365 
Layer material layer 
compound (2) 
Gelatin 310 
Electron donor (1) 
158 
High-boiling solvent (1) 
183 
Second Interlayer Gelatin 700 
layer Reducing agent B 110 
High-boiling solvent (1) 
48 
Surfactant (2) 61 
Hardening agent (1) 
30 
First Emulsion Silver halide emulsion 
230 
layer layer in terms 
of silver 
Gelatin 330 
Electron donor (1) 
163 
High-boiling solvent (1) 
172 
Electron transfer agent (1) 
50 
Anti-fogging agnet (3) 
0.7 
______________________________________ 
Support: 
polyethylene terephthalate of 96 .mu.m (carbon black was coated on the 
back layer) 
Each of light-sensitive elements 202 to 208 was prepared in the same manner 
as in the preparation of the light-sensitive material 201 except that an 
equimolar amount of each of the reducing agents of the present invention 
and comparative reducing agents indicated in Table 5 was used in place of 
the reducing agent B used in the second layer of the light-sensitive 
element 201. 
Unexposed and exposed light-sensitive elements 201 to 208 were immersed in 
water kept at 40.degree. C. for 5 seconds and squeezed by using rollers. 
Immediately thereafter, each of the light-sensitive material and the dye 
fixing element (2) were put upon each other so as to allow the layer 
surfaces thereof to be brought into close contact with each other. The 
laminate was then heated for 10 seconds by using heated rollers whose 
temperature was controlled so that the temperature of the layer which 
absorbed water became 75.degree. C. Subsequently, the light-sensitive 
element and the dye fixing element were peeled off from each other. The 
ratio of the magenta density of the exposed element to the magenta density 
of the unexposed element was determined. A layer ratio (nearer 1) means 
that the reducing agent in the interlayer has a larger effect of 
restraining the oxidant (radical) of the electron transfer agent (1) 
formed in the exposure area of the emulsion layer from diffusing into the 
magenta color material layer. The results are shown in Table 5. 
TABLE 5 
______________________________________ 
Type of reducing 
Light-sensitive 
agent in the Ratio of 
element No. interlayer magenta density 
______________________________________ 
201 reducing agent B 
0.59 
(Comp. Ex.) 
202 reducing agent F 
0.50 
(Comp. Ex.) 
203 reducing agent G 
0.52 
(Comp. Ex.) 
204 reducing agent H 
0.55 
(Comp. Ex.) 
205 reducing agent (4) 
0.77 
(invention) 
206 reducing agent (7) 
0.80 
(invention) 
207 reducing agent (8) 
0.73 
(invention) 
208 reducing agent (14) 
0.76 
(invention) 
______________________________________ 
Reducing agent F 
##STR31## 
(Compound described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,277,553) 
Reducing agent G 
##STR32## 
(Compound described in JP-A-61-75344) 
Reducing agent H 
##STR33## 
(Compound described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,277,553) 
It is clear form Table 5 that the reducing agents of the present 
invention readily reduce the oxidant (radical) of the electron transfer 
agent and have a large effect of restraining the oxidant of the electron 
A light-sensitive element 301 having a layer structure as indicated in 
Table 6 was prepared. Additives having the same structure as those used in 
the light-sensitive element 101 were used unless otherwise specifically 
stated. 
TABLE 6 
______________________________________ 
The structure of the light-sensitive element 301 
Coating 
Layer Name of weight 
No. layer Additive (mg/m.sup.2) 
______________________________________ 
Eleventh 
Protective Gelatin 400 
layer layer Silica (particle 
250 
size: 4 .mu.m) 
Hardening agent (1) 
48 
Surfactant (2) 12 
Citric acid 16 
Tenth Blue- Blue-sensitive silver 
500 
layer sensitive halide emulsion in terms 
emulsion of silver 
layer Gelatin 410 
Anti-fogging agent (3) 
0.16 
Surfactant (1) 6.5 
Ninth Yellow color 
Yellow dye providing 
420 
layer material compound (1) 
layer Electron donor (2) 
230 
Gelatin 510 
High-boiling solvent (1) 
210 
Surfactant (1) 48 
Eighth Interlayer Gelatin 320 
layer Surfactant (2) 11 
Seventh Interlayer Reducing agent A 
388 
layer High-boiling solvent (1) 
143 
Surfactant (1) 11 
Stabilizer (1) 2.4 
Gelatin 450 
Citric acid 14 
Sixth Green- Green-sensitive 320 
layer sensitive silver halide in terms 
emulsion emulsion of silver 
layer Gelatin 380 
Anti-fogging agent (3) 
0.10 
Surfactant (1) 6.5 
Fifth Magenta color 
Magenta dye providing 
390 
layer material compound (2) 
layer Electron donor (2) 
170 
High-boiling solvent (1) 
195 
Gelatin 390 
Surfactant (1) 35 
Fourth Interlayer Gelatin 320 
layer Surfactant (2) 11 
Third Interlayer Reducing agent A 
388 
layer High-boiling solvent (1) 
143 
Surfactant (1) 11 
Stabilizer (1) 2.4 
Gelatin 450 
Citric acid 14 
Second Red- Red-sensitive silver 
270 
layer sensitive halide emulsion in terms 
emulsion of silver 
layer Gelatin 380 
Anti-fogging (3) 
0.09 
Surfactant (1) 6.5 
First Cyan color Cyan dye providing 
410 
layer material compound (3) 
layer Electron donor (2) 
160 
High-boiling solvent (1) 
205 
Gelatin 400 
Surfactant (1) 40 
Support polyethylene terephthalate of 100 .mu.m 
Back layer Carbon black 4000 
Gelatin 2000 
______________________________________ 
Electron donor (2) 
##STR34## 
Stabilizer (1) 
##STR35## 
Each of light-sensitive elements 302 and 303 was prepared in the same 
manner as in the preparation of the light-sensitive element 301 except 
than an equimolar amount of the reducing agent (6) or (12) of the present 
invention was used in place of the reducing agent A used in the third and 
A dye fixing element (3) was prepared in the following manner. 
Paper Support 
Both sides of paper of 150 .mu.m in thickness were laminated with a 30 
.mu.m thick polyethylene. Polyethylene on the image receiving side 
contained 10% by weight (based on the weight of polyethylene) of titanium 
dioxide dispersed therein. 
Back Side 
(a) A light screening layer containing 4.0 g/m.sup.2 of carbon black and 
2.0 g/m.sup.2 of gelatin. 
(b) A white color layer containing 8.0 g/m.sup.2 of titanium dioxide and 
1.0 g/m.sup.2 of gelatin. 
(c) A protective layer containing 0.6 g/m.sup.2 of gelatin. 
The above layers in order of (a), (b) and (c) were coated and hardened by a 
hardening agent. 
Image-Receiving Layer Side 
(1) A neutralization layer containing 22 g/m.sup.2 of an acrylic acid-butyl 
acrylate copolymer (8:2 by molar ratio) having an average molecular weight 
of 50,000. 
(2) A second timing layer containing cellulose acetate having a degree of 
acetylation of 51.3% (the weight of acetic acid released by hydrolysis 
being 0.513 g per gram of the sample) and a styrene-maleic anhydride 
copolymer (1:1 by molar ratio) having an average molecular weight of about 
10,000 in the combined amount of 4.5 g/m.sup.2 in a ratio of 95:5 by 
weight. 
(3) An interlayer containing 0.4 g/m.sup.2 of poly-2-hydroxyethyl 
methacrylate. 
(4) A first timing layer containing 1.6 g/m.sup.2 (on a total solid basis) 
of a blend consisting of a polymer latex obtained by emulsion-polymerizing 
styrene/butyl acrylate/acrylic acid/N-methylol acrylamide in a ratio of 
49.7/42.3/4/4 by weight and a polymer latex obtained by 
emulsion-polymerizing methyl methacrylate/acrylic acid/N-methylol 
acrylamide in a ratio of 93/3/4 by weight in a ratio of 6:4 by weight on a 
solid basis. 
(5) An image-receiving layer coated with 3.0 g/m.sup.2 of a polymer mordant 
comprising the following repeating units 
##STR36## 
and 3.0 g/m.sup.2 of gelatin by using a compound, as a coating aid, 
represented by the following formula. 
##STR37## 
(6) A protective layer coated with 0.6 g/m.sup.2 Of gelatin. 
The above layers (1) to (6) in this order were coated and hardened by a 
hardening agent. The formulation of the processing solution: 
0.8 g of a processing solution having the following composition was charged 
into a rupturable container. 
______________________________________ 
1-p-Tolyl-4-hydroxymethyl-4-methyl-3- 
10.0 g 
pyrazolidone 
1-phenyl-4-hydroxymethyl-4-methyl-3- 
4.0 g 
pyrazolidone 
Potassium sulfite (anhydrous) 
4.0 g 
Hydroxyethyl cellulose 40 g 
Potassium hydroxide 64 g 
Benzyl alcohol 2.0 g 
Add water to make (total amount) 
1 kg 
______________________________________ 
Each of the light-sensitive elements 301 to 303 was exposed to light 
through yellow, magenta, cyan and gray color separation wedges. Each of 
the light-sensitive elements and the image receiving side of the 
dye-fixing element (3) were then put upon each other. The above processing 
solution was spread with a thickness of 60 .mu.m therebetween by the aid 
of pressure rollers. The processing was carried out at 35.degree. C. After 
one minute, the light-sensitive element and the dye-fixing element were 
peeled off from each other. 
In the same manner as in Example 1, color turbidity, Dmax and Dmin were 
measured. It was found that the light-sensitive elements 302 and 303 
containing the reducing agents of the present invention showed less color 
turbidity and had sufficient Dmax and Dmin in comparison with the 
light-sensitive element 301. 
It will be understood from the above disclosure that according to the 
present invention, there can be obtained color images which are excellent 
in color reproducibility and have sufficient discrimination. 
While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to 
specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the 
art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without 
departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention.