Aromatic block polycarbonate resin, diphenol compound for preparation of the polycarbonate resin, electro-photographic photoconductor, electro-photographic image forming apparatus and process, and process cartridge

An aromatic block polycarbonate resin of formula (6) prepared by polymerizing;

• a diphenol compound represented by formula (4),
• a diol compound represented by formula (5), and
• a halogenated carbonyl compound,
• 43
• wherein Ar1, Ar2, and Ar3 are each a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group;
• R17 and R18, which may be the same or different, are each an acyl group, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, or an aryl group which may have a substituent;
• and m is an integer of 1 to 30, and
• OH—X—OH (5)
• wherein X is a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent cyclic aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aromatic group, a bivalent group prepared by bonding the bivalent groups, or a bivalent group represented by formula (1-a), (1-b), or (1-c):
• 44
• in which R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aryl group which may have a substituent, or a halogen atom;
• a and b are each independently an integer of 0 to 4;
• c and d are each independently an integer of 0 to 3;
• and l is an integer of 0 or 1, and when l=1, Y is a straight-chain alkylene group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted branched alkylene group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, a bivalent group comprising at least one alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and at least one oxygen atom and/or one sulfur atom, —O—, —S—, —SO—, —SO2—, —CO—, —COO—,
• 45
• in which Z1 and Z2 are each a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aliphatic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group;
• R5, R6, and R12 are each independently a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group;
• R7, R8, R9, R10, and R11 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, and R6 and R7 may form together a carbon ring having 5 to 12 carbon atoms;
• l′ and l″ are each an integer of 0 or 1, and when l′=1 and l″=1, R13 and R14 are each an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
• R15 and R16 are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group;
• e and g are each independently an integer of 0 to 4;
• f is an integer of 1 or 2;
• h is an integer of 0 to 20;
• and i is an integer of 0 to 2000, and
• 46
• wherein Ar1, Ar2, Ar3, R17, R18, X, and m are the same as those previously defined;
• and k and j represent the composition ratios, and 0<k/(k+j)<1.

A method of producing an aromatic block polycarbonate resin of formula (7), comprising the steps of:

• (a) polymerizing a diol compound of formula (5) and a halogenated carbonyl compound by solution polymerization or interfacial polymerization, thereby preparing a diol compound of formula (1);
• 49
• wherein n is an integer of 1 to 50, and X is a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent cyclic aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aromatic group, a bivalent group prepared by bonding the bivalent groups, or a bivalent group represented by formula (1-a), (1-b), or (1-c):
• 50
• in which R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aryl group which may have a substituent, or a halogen atom;
• a and b are each independently an integer of 0 to 4;
• c and d are each independently an integer of 0 to 3;
• and l is an integer of 0 or 1, and when l=1, Y is a straight-chain alkylene group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted branched alkylene group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, a bivalent group comprising at least one alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and at least one oxygen atom and/or one sulfur atom, —O—, —S—, —SO—, —SO2—, —CO—, —COO—,
• 51
• in which Z1 and Z2 are each a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aliphatic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group;
• R5, R6, and R12 are each independently a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group;
• R7, R8, R9, R10, and R11 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, and R6 and R7 may form together a carbon ring having 5 to 12 carbon atoms;
• l′ and l″ are each an integer of 0 or 1, and when l′=1 and l″=1, R13 and R14 are each an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
• R15 and R16 are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group;
• e and g are each independently an integer of 0 to 4;
• f is an integer of 1 or 2;
• h is an integer of 0 to 20;
• and i is an integer of 0 to 2000;
• (b) polymerizing a diphenol compound of formula (2) and a halogenated carbonyl compound by solution polymerization or interfacial polymerization, thereby preparing a diphenol compound of formula (4);
• 52
• wherein Ar1, Ar2, and Ar3 are each a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group;
• R17 and R19, which may be the same or different, are each an acyl group, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, or an aryl group which may have a substituent;
• and m is an integer of 1 to 30;
• and
• (c) polymerizing said diol compound of formula (1), said diphenol compound of formula (4), and a halogenated carbonyl compound, thereby preparing said aromatic block polycarbonate resin of formula (7):
• 53
• wherein Ar1, Ar2, Ar3, R17, R17, R18X, n, and m are the same as those previously defined;
• and k and j represent the composition ratios, and 0<k/(k+j)<1.

A method of producing an aromatic block polycarbonate resin of formula (3), comprising the steps of:

• (a) polymerizing a diol compound of formula (5) and a halogenated carbonyl compound by solution polymerization or interfacial polymerization, thereby preparing a diol compound of formula (1);
• 54
• wherein n is an integer of 1 to 50, and X is a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent cyclic aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aromatic group, a bivalent group prepared by bonding the bivalent groups, or a bivalent group represented by formula (1-a), (1-b), or (1-c);
• 55
• in which R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aryl group which may have a substituent, or a halogen atom;
• a and b are each independently an integer of 0 to 4;
• c and d are each independently an integer of 0 to 3;
• and l is an integer of 0 or 1, and when l=1, Y is a straight-chain alkylene group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted branched alkylene group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, a bivalent group comprising at least one alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and at least one oxygen atom and/or one sulfur atom, —O—, —S—, —SO—,
• 56
• in which Z1 and Z2 are each a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aliphatic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group;
• R5, R6, and R12 are each independently a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group;
• R7, R8, R9, R10, and R11 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, and R6 and R7 may form together a carbon ring having 5 to 12 carbon atoms;
• l′ and l″ are each an integer of 0 or 1, and when l′=1 and l″=1, R13 and R14 are each an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
• R15 and R16 are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group;
• e and g are each independently an integer of 0 to 4;
• f is an integer of 1 or 2;
• h is an integer of 0 to 20;
• and i is an integer of 0 to 2000;
• and
• (b) polymerizing said diol compound of formula (1), a diphenol compound of formula (2), and a halogenated carbonyl compound, with the addition thereto of a catalyst and a solvent, thereby preparing said aromatic block polycarbonate resin of formula (3),
• 57
• wherein Ar2, Ar2, and Ar3 are each a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group;
• R17 and R18, which may be the same or different, are each an acyl group, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, or an aryl group which may have a substituent;
• X and n are the same as those previously defined;
• and k and j represent the composition ratios, and 0<k/(k+j)<1.

A method of producing an aromatic block polycarbonate resin of formula (6), comprising the steps of:

• (a) polymerizing a diphenol compound of formula (2) and a halogenated carbonyl compound by solution polymerization or interfacial polymerization, thereby preparing a diphenol compound of formula (4):
• 58
• wherein Ar1, Ar2, and Ar3 are each a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group;
• R17 and R18, which may be the same or different, are each an acyl group, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, or an aryl group which may have a substituent;
• and m is an integer of 1 to 30;
• and
• (b) polymerizing said diphenol compound of formula (4), a diol compound of formula (5), and a halogenated carbonyl compound with the addition thereto of a catalyst and a solvent, thereby preparing said aromatic block polycarbonate resin of formula (6):
• 59
• wherein Ar1, Ar2, Ar3, R17, R18, and m are the same as those previously defined;
• k and j represent the composition ratios, and 0<k/(k+j)<1;
• and X is a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent cyclic aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aromatic group, a bivalent group prepared by bonding the bivalent groups, or a bivalent group represented by formula (1-a), (1-b), or (1-c):
• 60
• in which R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aryl group which may have a substituent, or a halogen atom;
• a and b are each independently an integer of 0 to 4;
• c and d are each independently an integer of 0 to 3;
• and l is an integer of 0 or 1, and when l=1, Y is a straight-chain alkylene group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted branched alkylene group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, a bivalent group comprising at least one alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and at least one oxygen atom and/or one sulfur atom, —O—, —S—, —SO—, —SO2—, —CO—, —COO—,
• 61
• in which Z1 and Z2 are each a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aliphatic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group;
• R5, R6, and R12 are each independently a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group;
• R7, R8, R9, R10, and R11 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, and R6 and R7 may form together a carbon ring having 5 to 12 carbon atoms;
• l′ and l″ are each an integer of 0 or 1, and when l′=1 and l″=1, R13 and R14 are each an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
• R15 and R16 are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group;
• e and g are each independently an integer of 0 to 4;
• f is an integer of 1 or 2;
• h is an integer of 0 to 20;
• and i is an integer of 0 to 2000.

A diphenol compound comprising a tertiary amine structure, represented by formula (4):

• 62
• wherein Ar1, Ar2, and Ar3 are each a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group;
• R17 and R18, which may be the same or different, are each an acyl group, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, or an aryl group which may have a substituent;
• and m is an integer of 1 to 30.

A method for producing a diphenol compound of formula (4), comprising the step of polymerizing a diphenol compound of formula (2) and a halogenated carbonyl compound by solution polymerization or interfacial polymerization:

• 63
• wherein Ar1, Ar2, and Ar3 are each a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group;
• R17 and R18, which may be the same or different, are each an acyl group, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, or an aryl group which may have a substituent;
• and m is an integer of 1 to 30,
• 64
• wherein Ar1, Ar2 Ar3, R17, and R18 are the same as those previously defined in formula (4).

An electrophotographic photoconductor comprising an electroconductive support, and a photoconductive layer formed thereon comprising as an effective component at least one aromatic block polycarbonate resin selected from the group consisting of aromatic block polycarbonate resins of formulas (3), (6), and (7):

• 65
• wherein Ar1, Ar2, and Ar3 are each a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group;
• R17 and R18, which may be the same or different, are each an acyl group, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, or an aryl group which may have a substituent;
• m is an integer of 1 to 30;
• n is an integer of 1 to 50;
• k and j represent the composition ratios, and 0<k/(k+j)<1;
• and X is a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent cyclic aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aromatic group, a bivalent group prepared by bonding the bivalent groups, or a bivalent group represented by formula (1-a) (1-b), or (1-c):
• 66
• in which R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aryl group which may have a substituent, or a halogen atom;
• a and b are each independently an integer of 0 to 4;
• c and d are each independently an integer of 0 to 3;
• and l is an integer of 0 or 1, and when l=1, Y is a straight-chain alkylene group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted branched alkylene group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, a bivalent group comprising at least one alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and at least one oxygen atom and/or one sulfur atom, —O—, —SO—, —SO2—, —CO—, —COO—,
• 67
• in which Z1 and Z2 are each a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aliphatic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group;
• R5, R6, and R12 are each independently a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group;
• R7, R8, R9, R10, and R11 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, and R6 and R7 may form together a carbon ring having 5 to 12 carbon atoms;
• l′ and l″ are each an integer of 0 or 1, and when l′=1 and l″=1, R13 and R14 are each an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
• R13 and R14 are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group;
• e and g are each independently an integer of 0 to 4;
• f is an integer of 1 or 2;
• h is an integer of 0 to 20;
• and i is an integer of 0 to 2000.

An electrophotographic image forming method comprising the steps of:

• charging the surface of an electrophotographic photoconductor,
• exposing the charged surface of said photoconductor to a light image, thereby forming a latent electrostatic image on said photoconductor,
• developing said latent electrostatic image to a visible image,
• transferring said visible image to an image receiving member,
• cleaning the surface of said photoconductor, and
• quenching the residual potential on the surface of said photoconductor, wherein said electrophotographic photoconductor comprises an electroconductive support, and a photoconductive layer formed thereon comprising as an effective component at least one aromatic block polycarbonate resin selected from the group consisting of aromatic block polycarbonate resins of formulas (3), (6), and (7)
• 68
• wherein Ar1, Ar2, and Ar3 are each a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group;
• R17 and R18, which may be the same or different, are each an acyl group, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, or an aryl group which may have a substituent;
• m is an integer of 1 to 30;
• n is an integer of 1 to 50;
• k and j represent the composition ratios, and 0<k/(k+j)<1;
• and X is a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent cyclic aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aromatic group, a bivalent group prepared by bonding the bivalent groups, or a bivalent group represented by formula (1-a), (1-b), or (1-c):
• 69
• in which R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aryl group which may have a substituent, or a halogen atom;
• a and b are each independently an integer of 0 to 4;
• c and d are each independently an integer of 0 to 3;
• and l is an integer of 0 or 1, and when l=1, Y is a straight-chain alkylene group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted branched alkylene group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, a bivalent group comprising at least one alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and at least one oxygen atom and/or one sulfur atom, —O—, —S—, —SO—, —SO—, —COO—,
• 70
• in which Z1 and Z2 are each a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aliphatic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group;
• R5, R6, and R12 are each independently a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group;
• R7, R8, R9, R10, and R11 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, and R6 and R7 may form together a carbon ring having 5 to 12 carbon atoms;
• l′ and l″ are each an integer of 0 or 1, and when l′=1 and l″=1, R13 and R14 are each an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
• R15 and R16 are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, e and g are each independently an integer of 0 to 4;
• f is an integer of 1 or 2;
• h is an integer of 0 to 20;
• and i is an integer of 0 to 2000.

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising:

• an electrophotographic photoconductor capable of forming a latent electrostatic image thereon,
• charging means for charging the surface of said photoconductor,
• light exposure means for exposing the charged surface of said photoconductor to a light image, thereby forming a latent electrostatic image on said photoconductor,
• developing means for developing said latent electrostatic image to a visible image, and
• image transfer means for transferring said visible image to an image receiving member, wherein said electrophotographic photoconductor comprises an electroconductive support, and a photoconductive layer formed thereon comprising as an effective component at least one aromatic block polycarbonate resin selected from the group consisting of aromatic block polycarbonate resins of formulas (3), (6), and (7):
• 71
• wherein Ar1, Ar2, and Ar3 are each a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group;
• R17 and R18, which may be the same or different, are each an acyl group, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, or an aryl group which may have a substituent;
• m is an integer of 1 to 30;
• n is an integer of 1 to 50;
• k and j represent the composition ratios, and 0<k/(k+j)<1;
• and X is a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent cyclic aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aromatic group, a bivalent group prepared by bonding the bivalent groups, or a bivalent group represented by formula (1-a), (1-b), or (1-c):
• 72
• in which R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aryl group which may have a substituent, or a halogen atom;
• a and b are each independently an integer of 0 to 4;
• c and d are each independently an integer of 0 to 3;
• and l is an integer of 0 or 1, and when l=1, Y is a straight-chain alkylene group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted branched alkylene group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, a bivalent group comprising at least one alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and at least one oxygen atom and/or one sulfur atom, —O—, —S—, —SO—, —SO2—, —CO—, —COO—,
• 73
• in which Z1 and Z2 are each a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aliphatic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group;
• R5, R6, and R12 are each independently a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group;
• R7, R8, R9, R10, and R11 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, and R6 and R7 may form together a carbon ring having 5 to 12 carbon atoms;
• l′ and l″ are each an integer of 0 or 1, and when l′=1 and l″=1, R13 and R14 are each an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
• R5 and R16 are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group;
• e and g are each independently an integer of 0 to 4;
• f is an integer of 1 or 2;
• h is an integer of 0 to 20;
• and i is an integer of 0 to 2000.

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising:

• an electrophotographic photoconductor capable of forming a latent electrostatic image thereon,
• a charging unit configured to charge the surface of said photoconductor,
• a light exposure unit configured to expose the charged surface of said photoconductor to a light image, thereby forming a latent electrostatic image an said photoconductor,
• a developing unit configured to develop said latent electrostatic image to a visible image, and
• an image transfer unit configured to transfer said visible image to an image receiving member, wherein said electrophotographic photoconductor comprises an electroconductive support, and a photoconductive layer formed thereon comprising as an effective component at least one aromatic block polycarbonate resin selected from the group consisting of aromatic block polycarbonate resins of formulas (3), (6), and (7):
• 74
• wherein Ar1, Ar2, and Ar3 are each a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group;
• R17 and R18, which may be the same or different, are each an acyl group, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, or an aryl group which may have a substituent;
• m is an integer of 1 to 30;
• n is an integer of 1 to 50;
• k and j represent the composition ratios, and 0<k/(k+j)<1;
• and X is a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent cyclic aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aromatic group, a bivalent group prepared by bonding the bivalent groups, or a bivalent group represented by formula (1-a), (1-b), or (1-c):
• 75
• in which R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aryl group which may have a substituent, or a halogen atom;
• a and b are each independently an integer of 0 to 4;
• c and d are each independently an integer of 0 to 3;
• and l is an integer of 0 or 1, and when l=1, Y is a straight-chain alkylene group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted branched alkylene group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, a bivalent group comprising at least one alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and at least one oxygen atom and/or one sulfur atom, —O—, —S—, —SO—, —SO2—, —CO—, —COO—,
• 76
• in which Z1 and Z2 are each a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aliphatic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group;
• R5, R6, and R12 are each independently a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group;
• R7, R8, R9, R10, and R11 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, and R6 and R7 may form together a carbon ring having 5 to 12 carbon atoms;
• l′ and l″ are each an integer of 0 or 1, and when l′=1 and l″=1, R13 and R14 are each an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
• R15 and R16 are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group;
• e and g are each independently an integer of 0 to 4;
• f is an integer of 1 or 2;
• h is an integer of 0 to 20;
• and i is an integer of 0 to 2000.

A process cartridge which is freely attachable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and detachable therefrom, said process cartridge comprising an electrophotographic photoconductor, and at least one means selected from the group consisting of a charging means for charging the surface of said photoconductor, a light exposure means for exposing said photoconductor to a light image to form a latent electrostatic image on said photoconductor, a developing means for developing said latent electrostatic image to a visible image, an image transfer means for transferring said visible image formed on said photoconductor to an image receiving member, and a cleaning means for cleaning the surface of said photoconductor, wherein said electrophotographic photoconductor comprises an electroconductive support, and a photoconductive layer formed thereon comprising as an effective component at least one aromatic block polycarbonate resin selected from the group consisting of aromatic block polycarbonate resins of formulas (3), (6), and (7):

• 77
• wherein Ar1, Ar2, and Ar3 are each a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group;
• R17 and R18, which may be the same or different, are each an acyl group, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, or an aryl group which may have a substituent;
• m is an integer of 1 to 30;
• n is an integer of 1 to 50;
• k and j represent the composition ratios, and 0<k/(k+j)<1;
• and X is a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent cyclic aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aromatic group, a bivalent group prepared by bonding the bivalent groups, or a bivalent group represented by formula (1-a), (1-b), or (1-c):
• 78
• in which R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aryl group which may have a substituent, or a halogen atom;
• a and b are each independently an integer of 0 to 4;
• c and d are each independently an integer of 0 to 3;
• and l is an integer of 0 or 1, and when l=1, Y is a straight-chain alkylene group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted branched alkylene group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, a bivalent group comprising at least one alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and at least one oxygen atom and/or one sulfur atom, —O—, —S—, —SO—, —SO2—, —CO—, —COO—,
• 79
• in which Z1 and Z2 are each a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aliphatic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group;
• R5, R6, and R12 are each independently a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group;
• R7, R8, R9, R10, and R11 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, and R6 and R7 may form together a carbon ring having 5 to 12 carbon atoms;
• l′ and l″ are each an integer of 0 or 1, and when l′=1 and l″=1, R13 and R14 are each an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
• R15 and R16 are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group;
• e and g are each independently an integer of 0 to 4;
• f is an integer of 1 or 2;
• h is an integer of 0 to 20;
• and i is an integer of 0 to 2000.

A process cartridge which is freely attachable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and detachable therefrom, said process cartridge comprising an electrophotographic photoconductor, and at least one unit selected from the group consisting of a charging unit configured to charge the surface of said photoconductor, a light exposure unit configured to expose said photoconductor to a light image to form a latent electrostatic image on said photoconductor, a developing unit configured to develop said latent electrostatic image to a visible image, an image transfer unit configured to transfer said visible image formed on said photoconductor to an image receiving member, and a cleaning unit configured to clean the surface of said photoconductor, wherein said electrophotographic photoconductor comprises an electroconductive support, and a photoconductive layer formed thereon comprising as an effective component at least one aromatic block polycarbonate resin selected from the group consisting of aromatic block polycarbonate resins of formulas (3), (6), and (7):

• 80
• wherein Ar1, Ar2, and Ar3 are each a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group;
• R17 and R18, which may be the same or different, are each an acyl group, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, or an aryl group which may have a substituent;
• m is an integer of 1 to 30;
• n is an integer of 1 to 50;
• k and j represent the composition ratios, and 0<k/(k+j)<1;
• and X is a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent cyclic aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aromatic group, a bivalent group prepared by bonding the bivalent groups, or a bivalent group represented by formula (1-a), (1-b), or (1-c):
• 81
• in which R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aryl group which may have a substituent, or a halogen atom;
• a and b are each independently an integer of 0 to 4;
• c and d are each independently an integer of 0 to 3;
• and l is an integer of 0 or 1, and when l=1, Y is a straight-chain alkylene group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted branched alkylene group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, a bivalent group comprising at least one alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and at least one oxygen atom and/or one sulfur atom, —O—, —S—, —SO—, —SO2—, —CO—, —COO—,
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• in which Z1 and Z2 are each a substituted or unsubstituted bivalent aliphatic group, or a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group;
• R5, R6, and R12 are each independently a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group;
• R7, R8, R9, R10, and R11 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, and R6 and R7 may form together a carbon ring having 5 to 12 carbon atoms;
• l′ and l″ are each an integer of 0 or 1, and when l′=1 and l″=1, R13 and R14 are each an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
• R13 and R14 are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group;
• e and g are each independently an integer of 0 to 4;
• f is an integer of 1 or 2;
• h is an integer of 0 to 20;
• and i is an integer of 0 to 2000.