Diffusion control layers in diffusion transfer photographic products

A photosensitive element for use in diffusion transfer photographic processes comprising:

• a support layer;
• a negative component comprising at least one photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith a diffusion transfer process image-providing material;
• and
• at least one diffusion control layer comprising a polymer comprising recurring units of the formula ##STR27## wherein R is hydrogen or lower alkyl;
• R.sup.1 is hydrogen or lower alkyl;
• R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 together with the carbon atom to which they are bonded constitute a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, or R.sup.3, when substituted on the methylene carbon atom next adjacent the nitrogen atom, is taken together with R.sup.1 to form part of a substituted or unsubstituted N-containing ring;
• A, D, and E are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, and phenyl, provided that no more than one of A, D, or E may be methyl or phenyl;
• Y is a .beta.-elimination activating group;
• and n is a positive integer one to six.

An image-receiving element comprising:

• a support layer;
• a neutralizing layer;
• a diffusion control layer comprising a polymer comprising recurring units of the formula ##STR30## wherein R is hydrogen or lower alkyl;
• R.sup.1 is hydrogen or lower alkyl;
• R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 together with the carbon atom to which they are bonded constitute a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, or R.sup.3, when substituted on the methylene carbon atom next adjacent the nitrogen atom, is taken together with R.sup.1 to form part of a substituted or unsubstituted N-containing ring;
• A, D, and E are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, and phenyl, provided that no more than one of A, D, or E may be methyl or phenyl;
• Y is a .beta.-elimination activating group;
• and n is a positive integer one to six;
• and
• an image-receiving layer.

An integral negative-positive diffusion transfer film unit comprising:

• a photosensitive laminate comprising a composite structure containing, in sequence, an opaque support layer, a negative component comprising at least one photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith an image dye-providing material, a positive component comprising an image-receiving layer dyeable by the image dye-providing material, and a transparent support layer, the photosensitive laminate also comprising a diffusion control layer containing a polymer comprising recurring units of the formula ##STR33## wherein R is hydrogen or lower alkyl;
• R.sup.1 is hydrogen or lower alkyl;
• R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 together with the carbon atom to which they are bonded constitute a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, or R.sup.3, when substituted on the methylene carbon atom next adjacent the nitrogen atom, is taken together with R.sup.1 to form part of a substituted or unsubstituted N-containing ring;
• A, D, and E are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, and phenyl, provided that no more than one of A, D, or E may be methyl or phenyl;
• Y is a 62-elimination activating group;
• and n is a positive integer one to six;
• and
• means retaining an aqueous alkaline processing composition integrated with the film unit so that the processing composition can be distributed between the negative and positive components.

An integral negative-positive film unit comprising:

• a photosensitive laminate comprising, in sequence, a transparent support layer, a positive component comprising an image-receiving layer, a processing composition permeable, light-reflecting layer against which a dye image formed in said image-receiving layer can be viewed, and a negative component comprising at least one photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therwith an image dye-providing material;
• a transparent sheet superposed substantially coextensive the photosensitive laminate opposite the transparent layer;
• means retaining an aqueous alkaline processing composition, which includes an opacifying agent, integrated with the film unit such that the processing composition can be distributed between the photosensitive laminate and the transparent sheet;
• and
• a diffusion control layer comprising a polymer comprising recurring units of the formula ##STR34## wherein R is hydrogen or lower alkyl;
• R.sup.1 is hydrogen or lower alkyl;
• R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 together with the carbon atom to which they are bonded constitute a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, or R.sup.3, when substituted on the methylene carbon atom next adjacent the nitrogen atom, is taken together with R.sup.1 to form part of a substituted or unsubstituted N-containing ring;
• A, D, and E are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, and phenyl, provided that no more than one of A, D, or E may be methyl or phenyl;
• Y is a .beta.-elimination activating group;
• and n is a positive integer one to six;
• said diffusion control layer being contained within said film unit as either a component of said photosensitive laminate or a coating on that side of said transparent sheet contiguous the photosensitive laminate.