Tellurium (IV) compounds and compositions

Claim 2

An image-forming combination comprising (i) a tellurium(IV) compound represented by the formula: ##STR11## wherein: D is coordinated to a Te atom of the compound and comprises a radical incorporating one or two Lewis base functions, each function containing a group VA or VIA donor atom; Q represents the atoms necessary to complete a 5- or 6-membered ring when taken together with C, D and Te when m is 1 and represents the atoms linking C and D when m is greater than 1; R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl and aryl; X is an anion; n is 1; and m is an integer from 1 to 500; as an oxidizing agent, and (ii) a reducing agent.

Claim 3

An image-forming combination according to claim 1 further comprising a binder.

Claim 4

An image-forming combination according to claim 1 further comprising a solvent.

Claim 5

An image-forming combination according to claim 1 wherein R 1 and R 2 are hydrogen and X is halogen.

Claim 6

An image-forming combination according to claim 1 wherein D is selected from the group consisting of amino, cyano, hydroxyl, carbonyl, heterocyclic and mercapto.

Claim 7

An image-forming combination according to claim 1 wherein Q, when taken together with C and D, forms a ligand selected from the group consisting of: 2,6-diacetylpyridine; 2-acetylpyridine; and 2-acetylcyclohexanone.

Claim 8

An image-forming combination according to claim 1 wherein said tellurium(IV) compound is selected from the group consisting of: 2,6-diacetylpyridine (1-C) tellurium trichloride; 2-acetylpyridine (1-C) tellurium trichloride; and 2-acetylcyclohexanone tellurium trichloride.

Claim 9

An amplification element comprising a support having coated thereon an image-forming combination comprising (i) a tellurium(IV) compound represented by the formula: ##STR12## wherein: D is coordinated to a Te atom of the compound and comprises a radical incorporating one or two Lewis base functions, each function containing a group VA or VIA donor atom; Q represents the atoms necessary to complete a 5- or 6-membered ring when taken together with C, D and Te when m is 1 and represents the atoms linking C and D when m is greater than 1; R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl and aryl; X is an anion; n is 1; and m is an integer from 1 to 500, as an oxidizing agent, and (ii) a reducing agent.

Claim 10

An amplification element comprising a support having coated thereon an image-forming combination comprising (i) a tellurium(IV) compound represented by the formula: ##STR12## wherein: D is coordinated to a Te atom of the compound and comprises a radical incorporating one or two Lewis base functions, each function containing a group VA or VIA donor atom; Q represents the atoms necessary to complete a 5- or 6-membered ring when taken together with C, D and Te when m is 1 and represents the atoms linking C and D when m is greater than 1; R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl and aryl; X is an anion; n is 1; and m is an integer from 1 to 500, as an oxidizing agent, and (ii) a reducing agent.

Claim 11

An amplification element according to claim 8 wherein said image-forming combination is in a binder.

Claim 12

An amplification element according to claim 8 wherein said reducing agent is a silver halide developing agent.

Claim 13

An amplification element according to claim 8 wherein R 1 and R 2 are hydrogen and X is halogen.

Claim 14

An amplification element according to claim 8 wherein D is selected from the group consisting of amino, cyano, hydroxyl, carbonyl, heterocyclic and mercapto.

Claim 15

An amplification element according to claim 8 wherein Q, when taken together with C and D, forms a ligand selected from the group consisting of: 2,6-diacetylpyridine; 2-acetylpyridine; and 2-acetylcyclohexanone.

Claim 16

An amplification element according to claim 8 wherein said tellurium(IV) compound is selected from the group consisting of: 2,6-diacetylpyridine (1-C) tellurium trichloride; 2-acetylpyridine (1-C) tellurium trichloride; and 2-acetylcyclohexanone tellurium trichloride.

Claim 17

A photothermographic element comprising a support having coated thereon, in reactive association, (a) a photosensitive metal compound, and (b) an image-forming combination comprising (i) a tellurium(IV) compound represented by the formula: ##STR13## wherein: D is coordinated to a Te atom of the compound and comprises a radical incorporating one or two Lewis base functions, each function containing a group VA or VIA donor atom; Q represents the atoms necessary to complete a 5- or 6-membered ring when taken together with C, D and Te when m is 1 and represents the atoms linking C and D when m is greater then 1; R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl and aryl; X is an anion; n is 1; and m is an integer from 1 to 500, as an oxidizing agent, and (ii) a reducing agent.

Claim 18

A photothermographic element comprising a support having coated thereon, in reactive association, (a) a photosensitive metal compound, and (b) an image-forming combination comprising (i) a tellurium(IV) compound represented by the formula: ##STR13## wherein: D is coordinated to a Te atom of the compound and comprises a radical incorporating one or two Lewis base functions, each function containing a group VA or VIA donor atom; Q represents the atoms necessary to complete a 5- or 6-membered ring when taken together with C, D and Te when m is 1 and represents the atoms linking C and D when m is greater then 1; R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl and aryl; X is an anion; n is 1; and m is an integer from 1 to 500, as an oxidizing agent, and (ii) a reducing agent.

Claim 19

A photothermographic element according to claim 15 wherein said photosensitive metal compound is selected from the group consisting of silver, tellurium, palladium, copper and gold compounds.

Claim 20

A photothermographic element according to claim 16 wherein said photosensitive metal compound is a silver halide.

Claim 21

A photothermographic element according to claim 15 wherein said reducing agent is a silver halide developing agent.

Claim 22

A photothermographic element according to claim 15 wherein said photosensitive metal compound and said image-forming combination are in a binder.

Claim 23

A photothermographic element according to claim 15 wherein R 1 and R 2 are hydrogen and X is halogen.

Claim 24

A photothermographic element according to claim 15 wherein D is selected from the group consisting of amino, cyano, hydroxyl, carbonyl, heterocyclic and mercapto.

Claim 25

A photothermographic element according to claim 15 wherein Q, when taken together with C and D, forms a ligand selected from the group consisting of: 2,6-diacetylpyridine; 2-acetylpyridine; and 2-acetylcyclohexanone.

Claim 26

A photothermographic element according to claim 15 wherein said tellurium(IV) compound is selected from the group consisting of: 2,6-diacetylpyridine (1-C) tellurium trichloride; 2-acetylpyridine (1-C) tellurium trichloride; and 2-acetylcyclohexanone tellurium trichloride.

Claim 27

A process for forming an image comprising the step of contacting an imagewise distribution of physically developable catalyst with an image-forming combination comprising (i) a tellurium(IV) compound represented by the formula: ##STR14## wherein: D is coordinated to a Te atom of the compound and comprises a radical incorporating one or two Lewis base functions, each function containing a group VA or VIA donor atom; Q represents the atoms necessary to complete a 5- or 6-membered ring when taken together with C, D and Te when m is 1 and represents the atoms linking C and D when m is greater than 1; R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl and aryl; X is an anion; n is 1; and m is an integer from 1 to 500, as an oxidizing agent, and (ii) a reducing agent.

Claim 28

A process for forming an image comprising the step of contacting an imagewise distribution of physically developable catalyst with an image-forming combination comprising (i) a tellurium(IV) compound represented by the formula: ##STR14## wherein: D is coordinated to a Te atom of the compound and comprises a radical incorporating one or two Lewis base functions, each function containing a group VA or VIA donor atom; Q represents the atoms necessary to complete a 5- or 6-membered ring when taken together with C, D and Te when m is 1 and represents the atoms linking C and D when m is greater than 1; R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl and aryl; X is an anion; n is 1; and m is an integer from 1 to 500, as an oxidizing agent, and (ii) a reducing agent.

Claim 29

A process for forming an image according to claim 24 further comprising the step of heating said image-forming combination in contact with said catalyst.

Claim 30

In a process for forming an image comprising the steps of: (1) imagewise exposing a photosensitive layer comprising a photographic metal salt; and (2) diffusing unexposed photographic metal salt from said photosensitive layer into a developer layer comprising an image-forming combination where said unexposed salt is reduced and catalyzes an image-forming reaction, thereby forming a positive image in said developer layer, the improvement wherein said image-forming combination comprises (i) a tellurium(IV) compound represented by the formula: ##STR15## wherein: D is coordinated to a Te atom of the compound and comprises a radical incorporating one or two Lewis base functions, each function containing a group VA or VIA donor atom; Q represents the atoms necessary to complete a 5- or 6-membered ring when taken together with C, D and Te when m is 1 and represents the atoms linking C and D when m is greater than 1; R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl and aryl; X is an anion; n is 1; and m is an integer from 1 to 500, as an oxidizing agent, and (ii) a reducing agent.

Claim 31

In a process for forming an image comprising the steps of: (1) imagewise exposing a photosensitive layer comprising a photographic metal salt; and (2) diffusing unexposed photographic metal salt from said photosensitive layer into a developer layer comprising an image-forming combination where said unexposed salt is reduced and catalyzes an image-forming reaction, thereby forming a positive image in said developer layer, the improvement wherein said image-forming combination comprises (i) a tellurium(IV) compound represented by the formula: ##STR15## wherein: D is coordinated to a Te atom of the compound and comprises a radical incorporating one or two Lewis base functions, each function containing a group VA or VIA donor atom; Q represents the atoms necessary to complete a 5- or 6-membered ring when taken together with C, D and Te when m is 1 and represents the atoms linking C and D when m is greater than 1; R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl and aryl; X is an anion; n is 1; and m is an integer from 1 to 500, as an oxidizing agent, and (ii) a reducing agent.