Abstract: In a dry physical development photothermographic element for a dry thermal silver-dye bleach process wherein the element comprises a silver halide complexing concentration of a silver halide complexing agent improvements are provided when the complexing agent is an organic ammonium chloride, bromide or iodide. After imagewise exposure of the element, a dye image can be produced by uniformly heating the element. Improvements are also produced by providing a dry activator element for producing a dye image in a separate photographic element by means of a dry physical development thermal dye-bleach process, wherein the activator element comprises a support having thereon a layer comprising a synthetic hydrophobic polymeric binder, a silver halide complexing concentration of a silver halide complexing agent, as described, a bleachable dye and a thermal solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are photothermogrpahic elements comprising stable free radical nitroxyl compounds. These compounds do not adversely affect the photographic properties of negative-working radiation sensitive emulsions and can be advantageously used in dry photothermographic processes to produce direct positive neutral or color images.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are aqueous and nonaqueous photographic bleaching solutions and radiation sensitive elements comprising a thiyl bleaching agent precursor having the formula ##STR1## wherein Z comprises the nonmetallic atoms necessary to complete a 5 to 7 member heterocyclic ring; R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl, aryl or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 or R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 can be taken together with the carbon atom of the ring to which they are attached to form a cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl group; and R.sup.1 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, oxo and a complexing ligand for silver (I) ion wherein the Ksp of the complexed product of the ligand and silver (I) ion is less than about 10.sup.-12 at 25.degree. C. The thiyl bleaching agents disclosed herein are capable of bleaching preformed or predeveloped metals such as silver in both aqueous and nonaqueous photographic materials.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are aqueous and nonaqueous photographic bleaching solutions and photothermographic elements comprising stable free radical nitroxyl bleaching agents. These agents are capable of bleaching preformed of developed metals, such as silver, in both aqueous and nonaqueous photographic materials. They do not adversely affect the photographic properties of radiation sensitive emulsions and can be thermally activated in a dry photothermographic process.