Photoconductive composition containing a tricyanopyrene, article and process of use

A composition comprising from about 0.1 to about 99.9 weight percent of at least one photogenerator compound of the formula ##STR4## wherein R is --H or --CN;

• R', r", r'"and R.sup.iv are independently selected from an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having from about 1 - 10 carbon atoms;
• phenyl;
• or substituted phenyl wherein said substituents are capable of releasing electrons to relatively electron deficient centers within the compound;
• amino;
• diarylamino;
• dialkylamino or alkoxy;
• n can range from 0 up to the potential number of positions of substitution on the aromatic ring system
• in an insulating polymeric matrix, the minimum concentration of photogenerator compound relative to polymeric matrix being sufficient to render the composition photoconductive.

An electrophotographic imaging member comprising a conductive substrate and a photoconductive insulating layer operatively disposed in relation thereto, said photoconductive insulating layer comprising a composition containing from about 0.1 to about 99.9 weight percent of at least one photogenerator compound of the formula ##STR5## wherein R is --H or --CN;

• R', r", r'" and R.sup.iv are independently selected from an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having from about 1 - 10 carbon atoms;
• phenyl;
• or substituted phenyl wherein said substituents are capable of releasing electrons to relatively electron deficient centers within the compound;
• amino;
• diarylamino;
• dialkylamino or alkoxy;
• n can range from 0 up to the potential number of positions of substitution on the aromatic ring system
• in an insulating polymeric matrix, the minimum concentration of photogenerator compound relative to polymeric matrix being sufficient to render the composition photoconductive.

An electrostatographic imaging process comprising:

• a. providing an electrophotographic imaging member having a conductive substrate and a photoconductive insulating layer operatively disposed in relation thereto, said photoconductive insulating layer comprising a composition containing from about 0.1 to about 99.9 weight percent of at least one photogenerator compound of the formula ##STR6## wherein R is --H or --CN;
• R', r", r'" and R.sup.iv are independently selected from an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having from about 1 - 10 carbon atoms;
• phenyl;
• or substituted phenyl wherein said substituents are capable of releasing electrons to relatively electron deficient centers within the compound;
• amino;
• diarylamino;
• dialkylamino or alkoxy;
• n can range from 0 up to the potential number of positions of substitution on the aromatic ring system
• in an insulating polymeric matrix, the minimum concentration of photogenerator compound relative to polymeric matrix being sufficient to render the composition photoconductive;
• and
• b. forming a latent electrostatic image on said member.