Low melting point ionizable epoxy scavengers for residual magenta couplers

Abstract

Low melting point epoxy scavenger compounds are disclosed which contain a pH dependent ionizable group to facilitate migration of the scavenger from an adjacent scavenger layer (that does not contain any coupler) to an imaging layer (containing coupler and emulsion) of a photographic element at the pH of development. One aspect of the invention comprises a process of forming an aqueous dispersion of an epoxy compound of the structural formula SI: ##STR1## wherein: R is H, an alkyl group, or an aryl group; L.sub.1 is an alkyl group or an aryl group; L.sub.2 is --O--, --CO--, --S--, --SO.sub.2 --, --PO.sub.2 --, --CO.sub.2 --, --NHCO-- or --NHSO.sub.2 --, wherein L.sub.2 may be orientated in either direction; L.sub.3 is an alkyl group; m is 0 or 1; p is 0 or 1; and X is ##STR2## wherein R' is H or an alkyl or aryl group, with the proviso that where L.sub.2 comprises an ionizable group, X may also be an alkyl group or an aryl group; wherein the compound has a melting point of less than about 50.degree. C. and the process comprises adding the compound in a liquid state to an aqueous solution, and directly dispersing the compound in the aqueous solution. Thermal and photochemical yellowing of a color photographic element, such as a color print, is inhibited by incorporating such compounds into the photographic element.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.