Abstract: A method for forming an image in a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material comprising developing an imagewise exposed silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material and then bleach fixing the silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material in a bleach fixing bath, the silver halide photographic color light sensitive material comprising a support having thereon a silver halide emulsion layer containing a yellow coupler, a silver halide emulsion layer containing a magenta coupler and a silver halide emulsion layer containing a cyan layer, wherein the silver halide emulsion layer containing the magneta coupler contains at least one kind of pyrazoloazole type coupler represented by the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.

Abstract: A method of processing a photographic material which contains a light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith a blocked photographic agent capable of releasing a photographically useful agent by ring cleavage of a 4- to 7-membered ring containing at least one carbonyl group in the presence of a hydroxylamine, whereby both high stability of the photographic material upon storage and timely release of the photographically useful agent upon processing are achieved.

Abstract: A method for processing a color photographic light-sensitive material comprising subjecting an imagewise exposed silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material to color development processing, then to processing with a bleaching solution and thereafter to separately, fixing processing wherein the silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material contains a cyan dye forming coupler represented by the general formula (I-a) or (I-b) described below, the bleaching solution contains a compound represented by the general formula (II-a) or (II-b) described below and the processing time for the bleaching solution is substantially not more than 2 minutes and 30 seconds, ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.4 each represents a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group; R.sup.3 and R.sup.

Abstract: Bath compositions for bleaching silver halide-containing recording materials contain an N-carboxyalkaneaminoalkane phosphonic acid or a salt thereof.

Abstract: A silver halide photographic light-sensitive material for photomechanical process is described, comprising a support, at least one photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer thereon, and at least one light-insensitive upper layer on the emulsion layer. At least one of the light-insensitive upper layers contains a compound having an electric charge and being substantially insoluble in water but soluble in a water-miscible organic solvent; a method for a reducing treatment is also described, which comprises bringing a silver image formed on the light-sensitive material into contact with a reducer through the light-insensitive upper layer containing the aforesaid compound.

Abstract: A method for processing a silver halide color photographic material by subjecting a light-exposed silver halide color photographic material to a color development and then subjecting it to bleach processing and fix processing or to blix processing, which comprises performing said bleach processing or blix processing using a bleach bath or a blix bath containing a ferric ion complex salt as a bleaching agent, said bleach bath or blix bath, or a prebath for said bath containing at least one of compounds represented by the following general formula (I) or (II); ##STR1## wherein, X represents a hydrogen atom, ##STR2## Y.sup..crclbar. represents an anion; Q represents an atomic group necessary for forming a quaternary nitrogen-containing unsaturated heterocyclic ring; n represents an integer of 1 to 5; R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.6 and R.sup.8, which may be the same or different, each represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.

Abstract: A method for processing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material by developing a light-sensitive silver halide color photographic material after imagewise exposure with a color developing solution containing a p-phenylenediamine type color developing agent containing at least one water-soluble group on its amino group and then subjecting the developed material to direct processing with a bleach-fixing solution kept in a state of being oxidized, which comprises using a diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid iron (III) complex as the bleaching agent for said bleach-fixing processing.

Abstract: A method of processing an image-wise exposed silver halide color photographic material is described, having on a support at least one red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, at least one green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, and at least one blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, the total amount of silver iodide contained in the light-senstive silver halides in said light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layers being higher than 4.0.times.10.sup.-3 mole/m.sup.2, which comprises processing the color photographic material further containing in a protective layer thereof a super fine grain silver halide, having a mean grain size of less than 0.2 .mu.

Abstract: Photosensitive element for forming a lithographic negative which comprises a support bearing a dry photosensitive layer consisting essentially of an intimate mixture of colloidal metal particles, e.g., silver, etc., colloid binder, free radical producing compound, and mercaptan compound, e.g., 2-mercaptobenzoxazole. A two layer photosensitive element embodiment comprises on a support a lower dry colloidal layer having dispersed colloidal metal particles and an upper dry layer consisting essentially of free-radical producing compound and a mercaptan compound. The elements are exposed imagewise, bleached, rinsed, and optionally fixed.

Abstract: A method for processing a color photographic light-sensitive material by subjecting an exposed silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material to color development processing then to bleaching and fixing or to bleach-fixing, which method comprises using a ferric ion complex salt or a persulfate as a bleaching agent in the bleaching or bleach-fixing and incorporating at least one compound selected from compounds represented by general formula (I) below and a salt thereof in the bleaching bath or the bleach-fixing bath or in a prebath thereof: ##STR1## wherein X represents --COOM, --OH, --SO.sub.3 M, --CONH.sub.2, --SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2, --NH.sub.2, --SH, --CN, --CO.sub.2 R.sup.6, --SO.sub.2 R.sup.6, --OR.sup.6, --NR.sup.6 R.sup.7, --SR.sup.6, --SO.sub.3 R.sup.6, --NHCOR.sup.6, --NHSO.sub.2 R.sup.6, --OCOR.sup.6 or --OSO.sub.2 R.sup.6 ; Y represents ##STR2## or a hydrogen atom; m and n each represents an integer from 1 to 10; R.sup.1, R.sub.2, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.7 and R.sup.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bleaching solution or bleach-fixing solution for a light-sensitive silver halide photographic material, which comprises an oxidizing agent comprising a diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid iron (III) complex salt, and at least one metal ion selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, zinc, cerium, ruthenium, yttrium, samarium, magnesium, calcium, bismuth, strontium, manganese, aluminum, tin, barium, indium, thallium and zirconium. In another embodiment, the solution may further contain a chelating agent other than diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid.

Abstract: A method for processing a color photographic light-sensitive material by subjecting an exposed silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material to color development, then to bleaching and fixing or then to bleach-fixing, which method comprises using a ferric ion complex salt as a bleaching agent in the bleaching or bleach-fixing and incorporating at least one compound represented by general formula (I) described below or a tautomer thereof: ##STR1## wherein all the symbols are defined in the appended claims, in a bleaching bath or bleach-fixing bath or in a prebath of the bleach-fixing bath. The method of the present invention does not produce poisonous materials which are harmful to the environment and provides an excellent high speed bleaching process without harming other photographic properties.

Abstract: The bleaching from photographic elements of silver produced by the development of silver halide having a dye adsorbed to its surface by employing as a bleaching agent a ferric complex of a polycarboxylic acid is improved by the presence of a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein Ar is an aromatic linking group,R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 are hydroxy substituted lower alkyl groups,R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are lower alkanediyl groups,X is a charge balancing counter ion,x and y are 0 or 1, andz is 0, 1, or 2.

Abstract: A method for processing a color photographic light-sensitive material comprising subjecting an exposed silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material to color development processing then to bleach processing and fixing processing separately, wherein a bath of the bleach processing contains (a) at least one bleach accelerating agent selected from a compound having a mercapto group or a disulfide bond, a thiazolidine derivative and an isothiourea derivative and (b) at least one compound represented by the following general formula (I-a) or (I-b): ##STR1## wherein M represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal atom or an ammonium ion; R represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, --SO.sub.3 M.sup.1 or --COOM.sup.1 ; R.sup.1 represents --SO.sub.3 M.sup.1 or --COOM.sup.1 ; M.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal atom or an ammonium ion; and n represents an integer of 1 to 6 and when n is 2 or more, R's may be the same or different.

Abstract: A photographic element for use in a method of multicolor image formation by tanning development is a layered structure comprising an optionally primed base support, a layer of colloidal silver, a layer of sensitized silver halide emulsion in gelatin free of hardener, and at least one colored pigment or dye dispersed therein which absorbs radiation.

Abstract: A method of processing a silver halide color photographic material is disclosed. The material is treated with a bleach-fixing solution or a fixing solution, and then, without washing with water, treated with a stabilizing solution incorporating a water-soluble chelate compound of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Ba, Ca, Ce, Co, In, La, Mn, Ni, Pb, Ti, Sn, Zn and Zr and the group consisting of Mg, Al and Sr.

Abstract: A method for processing a color photographic light-sensitive material by subjecting an exposed silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material to color development processing then to bleaching processing and fixing processing or to bleach-fixing processing, which process comprises using a ferric ion complex salt or a persulfate as a bleaching agent in the bleaching processing or bleach-fixing processing and incorporating a compound represented by the general formula (I) described below or a salt thereof in a bath of the bleaching processing or bleach-fixing processing or in a pre-bath thereof. ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, which may be the same or different, each represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; X represents a --NH.sup.3 R.sup.4 group, a --COOM group, a --SO.sub.3 M group or a hydroxy group; R.sup.3 and R.sup.4, which may be the same or different, each represents a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or R.sup.3 and R.sup.

Abstract: A method for producing a phase hologram having a high diffraction efficiency which includes treating a developed photographic material with a stop bath containing sodium sulfate, bleaching with a tanning bleach having a low pH value and fixing the bleached material in a bath containing sodium thiosulfate.

Abstract: An improved method for bleaching color photosensitive materials with a persulfate is provided. This method is free of offensive odors, can bleach efficiently color photosensitive materials containing a large amount of silver by using a persulfate, and can effectively bleach color photosensitive materials having colloidal silver layers by using a persulfate. The color photosensitive material used in the present invention contains at least one of the compounds represented by the formula I, salts thereof and precursors thereof: ##STR1## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, or an aliphatic residue and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may form a ring together with the N atom; R.sup.3 represents --R.sup.4 -- or --R.sup.4 --S, said --R.sup.4 -- being a divalent aliphatic residue; and X represents a divalent heterocyclic ring residue containing at least one atom selected from the group consisting of a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom, and a sulfur atom.

Abstract: A method of color photographic processing is disclosed. The method comprises color developing an exposed silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material and thereafter carrying out a bleach treatment and a fix treatment or a bleach-fix treatment, wherein the bleaching agent used for the bleach treatment or the bleach-fix treatment is a ferric ion complex salt or a persulfate and the bleaching bath or the bleach-fixing bath or a pre-bath therefor contains at least one compound represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein all the symbols are defined in the specification. A prevention of pollution problems and an acceleration of bleaching action without deterioration of photographic properties can be attained by this method.

Abstract: A method for processing an exposed silver halide color photographic material by development and desilvering is described, which comprises the steps of (1) treating said material in a color developing bath, (2) treating the developed material in a bath having incorporated therein at least one compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof: ##STR1## and (3) treating said material in a bath having bleaching or bleach-fixing ability.

Abstract: A color photographic silver halide light-sensitive material is described, containing at least one member of the compounds represented by the general formula (I-a) and (I-b) in at least one layer thereof: ##STR1## (wherein all the symbols are defined in the appended claims). This color light-sensitive material can be subjected to rapid photographic processing; i.e., the compounds of the general formula (I-a) and (I-b) act as bleach accelerators, making it possible to perform rapid photographic processing without exerting adverse influences on photographic characteristics.

Abstract: High speed, high quality positive or negative photographic elements comprising, in order, (1) a support, (2) a nonphotosensitive layer on said support containing a chemically bleachable, high strength tinctorial colorant, and (3) at least one photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer, characterized by the interposing of a timing layer between layers (2) and (3), and the addition of a hardener to layer (2).

Abstract: A process for bleaching color photographic sensitive materials and color photographic sensitive materials are disclosed. The process comprises bleaching the silver halide color photographic sensitive materials which are comprised of a support base, a silver halide emulsion layer, and a compound represented by the general formula (I) or strong acid salts thereof in a layer which does not substantially form silver salts of said compounds with a treating solution containing persulfate after being exposed to the light and carrying out color development: ##STR1## wherein M represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal atom, an alkaline earth metal, a quaternary ammonium group, a quaternary phosphonium group, an amidino group or ##STR2## R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represents a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic group, and m represents an integer of 2 to 4. The bleaching process effectively bleaches color sensitive materials having a high silver content and/or a colloidal silver layer without creating a bad odor.

Abstract: A silver halide photographic material for a photomechanical process which has an excellent reduction processing aptitude is disclosed. The material is comprised of a support having a light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer thereon and a light-insensitive layer disposed outside the silver halide emulsion layer. The light-insensitive layer contains a hydrophilic colloidal binder coated in such an amount per unit area as to be 1.0 or more times that of a hydrophilic colloidal binder contained in the silver halide emulsion layer.

Abstract: Fast acting and ecologically advantageous compositions for the bleaching of photographically developed silver are comprised of a peroxy compound, a buffering agent, and an aminopolyacetic or thiopolyacetic acid which contains at least three carboxyl groups.

Abstract: A method for processing a color photographic light-sensitive material is disclosed. The process envolves providing an exposed silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material and subjecting the material to a color development processing. During the processing after development processing the material is brought into contact with a compound represented by the general formulae (I-a) or (I-b) in a bath of a bleaching or bleach-fixing processing or in a pre-bath thereof. ##STR1## wherein A represents an amino group which is optionally substituted or a nitrogen-containing hetero ring residue which may be optionally substituted, R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a carboxy group, R.sup.2 represents a monovalent metal atom, an ammonium group, an optionally substituted alkyl group or a group represented by ##STR2## R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 each represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group which may be substituted by a hydroxy group, an alkoxy group, a halogen atom, a carboxyl group, --SO.sub.2 H, --SO.sub.

Abstract: A process for processing a silver halide color photographic material is disclosed. The process particularly relates to bleaching and fixing of a color developed silver halide color photographic material. The color developed material is processed with an acid bleaching solution containing a ferric salt, inorganic salt and a halide. Immediately after the bleaching step, the photographic material is processed with the fixing solution containing 5 g/l to 50 g/l of polycarboxylic acids. By utilizing the bleaching and fixing steps disclosed it is possible to process a silver halide color photographic material rapidly utilizing a reduced number of baths, obtain an excellent bleaching rate and produce an image having excellent stability.

Abstract: Method of treating a dye image in photographic material which dye image has been formed by the color coupling reaction of a primary aromatic amine color developing agent with a phenolic color coupler of the formula ##STR1## where T is hydroxy or amino, one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 is the coupling position and if it is the coupling position the substituent group is hydrogen or halogen, a nitrogen-linked heterocycle or a mercapto group, the other of R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 and R.sub.2 and R.sub.4 are each hydrogen or halogen or optionally substituted organic groups, or one or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together or R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 together may represent the atoms necessary to complete a benzannelated ring, which treatment method comprises treating the dye image with an aqueous solution which comprises a salt of a transition (b-sub group) metal, the concentration of the metal ion in the aqueous solution being at least 10.sup.-4 M.

Abstract: A method for processing exposed and developed photographic silver dye-bleach materials, in which the exposed and developed material is treated with aqueous bleaching preparations which contain (a) an acid component, (b) a silver complexing agent, (c) one or more bleach catalysts, (d) optionally an antioxidant, (e) optionally a water-soluble oxidizing agent and (f) optionally a bleaching accelerator.A water-soluble and as a rule solid adduct of an acid amide or a lactam and a strong mineral acid is used as acid component (a).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photographic print and process of making the same wherein the print presents highlights by a build-up of high reflective, e.g. specularly reflective, metal in the highlighted areas which would otherwise print as blank or very light-toned areas of exposed paper or film. The gradient areas are preferably defined by spaced, specularly reflective areas optionally interspersed with conventional deposit of particulate silver. The method of fabricating such article includes an initially conventional development step, followed by a second development step wherein the silver halide areas remaining after the first development step are converted into increments of specularly reflective silver. An etching step may be interposed between the conventional development step and the development step leading to the creation of specular areas.

Abstract: A new method to produce photographic images is provided which comprises:(a) imagewise exposing a photographic assembly which contains at least during the silver halide developing step, in order optionally a supercoat layer, at least one silver halide emulsion layer, a layer containing a substantive azamethine compound and a photobase, there being optionally one or more interlayers between each of said components(b) treating the exposed photographic assembly with an aqueous processing bath so as to provide in the silver halide emulsion layer or layers a solution or dispersion of a bleach developer compound, thereby to develop the latent silver image in the silver halide emulsion(s), and(c) in the non-latent image areas allowing the bleach developer compound to diffuse in a counter-imagewise manner from the silver halide emulsion layer (s) to the layer containing substantive azamethine compound and there to bleach the compound to form a dye image.

Abstract: A method for bleaching silver halide color photographic materials is described using a bleach solution containing an organic acid metal complex salt and hydrogen peroxide or a compound releasing hydrogen peroxide, wherein the bleaching activity of the bleach solution can be effectively maintained for a long period of time by supplying thereto a replenisher composed separately of a composition containing hydrogen peroxide or a compound releasing hydrogen peroxide and a composition containing an organic acid metal complex salt, which are separately stored and added as a mixture thereof or separately to the bleach solution when the activity thereof is weakened during processing or during storage of the bleach solution.

Abstract: Photographic negative material which has at least one layer which contains a desensitized silver halide emulsion, the desensitizer used being a trinuclear heptamethinecyanine or a halogenated trinuclear tetramethinecyanine which has three identical heterocyclic ring systems, which can have different substituents and are linked to one another by three identical methine systems, which can be mesomeric, is suitable for processing in subdued daylight but nevertheless has an adequate sensitivity on exposure to intense light.

Abstract: A bleach solution for color photographic materials having a high bleaching activity and capable of providing color images having good quality containing hydrogen peroxide or a compound releasing hydrogen peroxide, an organic metal complex salt, and an unsubstituted or substituted aromatic sulfonic acid or a salt thereof.

Abstract: Photographic silver halide bleach compositions which are more active than existing bleach compositions and free from environmental and commercial objections thereto comprise as bleaching agent a ferric complex of an alkyliminodiacetic acid the alkyl group of which may be substituted. The bleach solutions may further comprise a silver halide solvent thus rendering them bleach-fix solutions.

Abstract: The generation of toxic gases from a bleaching composition for silver halide color photographic materials containing a bleaching agent such as a persulfate or an inorganic ferric salt and a water-soluble halide can be prevented by the incorporation therein of a compound represented by the formula [I]:R.sup.1 --X--NH--R.sup.2 [I]wherein X is a carbonyl group or a sulfonyl group; R.sup.1 is an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a phenyl group, an alkoxy group, an amino group, an acylamino group, or a heterocyclic ring; and R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a phenyl group, an acyl group, a carbamoyl group, or a heterocyclic ring; or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together form a 5- or 6-membered ring or a tautomer thereof.

Abstract: A bleaching composition for use in processing silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material, comprising compounds [I], [II], and [III] as follows:Compound [I]: at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a persulfate, an inorganic ferric salt, and an organic acid ferric complex;Compound [II]: a water-soluble halide; andCompound [III]: at least one compound selected from the compounds represented by following general formula [III]; ##STR1## wherein X represents carbon atoms or carbon and nitrogen atoms forming an unsubstituted or substituted 5-membered ring containing two unsaturated bonds, including a 5-membered ring fused with a 5- or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring.

Abstract: A bleaching composition having strengthened oxidizing power and which markedly reduces color stains is described, which contains as essential components: (1) an organic acid-iron (III) complex salt; (2) an alkali metal or an ammonium salt of bromic acid; (3) a water-soluble halogenide; (4) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds having the formula (I) or (II)X--R.sup.1).sub.n COOM (I) ##STR1## wherein X represents COOM or an amino group, with M representing hydrogen, an alkali metal ion or ammonium ion; R.sup.1 represents a divalent aliphatic group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be substituted with hydroxy groups, amino groups and/or carboxy group; n is 0 or 1; and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 may be the same or different from each other, and each represents an amino group, an acylamino group, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a phenyl group, or a 5-membered or a 6-membered heterocyclic group, or R.sup.2 and R.sup.

Abstract: A process of forming mask images having high contrast at the edges thereof and possessing high heat resistance and high durability comprising imagewise exposing a photographic light-sensitive material comprising a transparent support having thereon, in succession, a mask layer and a layer of an emulsion of a silver halide in a binder followed by development without employing fixing processing to form silver images at the image areas, removing the silver forming the silver images at the image areas with an aqueous solution containing ceric sulfate and sulfuric acid; then reducing the silver halide remaining at the non-image areas to silver; halogenating the silver formed in the non-image areas with an aqueous solution containing dichromate ions and halogen ions; heating the photographic material above about 200.degree. C.

Abstract: A method which comprises processing an imagewise exposed and color developed silver halide color photographic material with a solution containing a ferric ion complex, a bromate and a water-soluble chloride is disclosed.

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: A method for forming an image comprising forming a silver, silver halide or binder image in the emulsion layer of a photographic material, which photographic material comprises a support having a silver halide emulsion layer thereon, by exposing and developing the photographic material, and plasma etching the emulsion layer to preferentially remove the emulsion layer at the non-image areas. Alternatively, the emulsion layer may be on a masking layer, whereafter, following exposing and developing, the photographic material is plasma etched to preferentially remove the emulsion layer at the non-image areas and to uncover the masking layer lying thereunder and then the masking layer is etched away at the uncovered areas.

Abstract: An aqueous acidic etch-bleach solution comprising hydrogen peroxide, iron(III)ions and inorganic anions that form a silver salt having a solubility product not greater than 1.times.10.sup.-8 determined in water at 20.degree. C., characterized in that such solution contains in the dissolved state the combination of citric acid and a polymer containing alkylene oxide units for improved stabilization of the hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: Quinoxalines of the formula ##STR1## are provided, in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently are lower alkyl R.sub.3 is lower alkyl, --CH.sub.2 OR.sub.5, --CH.sub.2 NRR', --CH.sub.2 OCOR, --CH.sub.2 Cl, --CH.sub.2 Br, --CH.sub.2 SR, --CH.sub.2 O(CH.sub.2).sub.p OR, --CH.sub.2 PO(OR.sub.5).sub.2, --CH.sub.2 PO(OR.sub.6).sub.2, --CH.sub.2 SO.sub.3 R.sub.6, --O(CH.sub.2).sub.m OR, --O(CH.sub.2).sub.p SO.sub.3 R.sub.6 or --(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n OAr, R.sub.4 is hydrogen, lower alkyl or alkoxy when R.sub.3 is other than lower alkyl, or R.sub.4 is --OH, --NRR', --NHCOR, --NHCOAr', --NHSO.sub.2 R.sub.5 or --NHSO.sub.2 Ar', R and R' independently are hydrogen or lower alkyl, R.sub.5 is lower alkyl, R.sub.6 is hydrogen, an alkali metal cation or --N.sup..sym. (R).sub.4, Ar is aryl or sulphonated aryl, Ar' is aryl or substituted aryl, m is 3 or 4, n is 1 to 3 and p is 2 to 4.The quinoxalines are useful as bleach catalysts, especially as dye bleach catalysts, for the photographic silver dye bleach process.

Abstract: The processing of exposed photographic silver halide color materials is described while using a bleach or bleach-fixing bath containing better bleach-accelerating compounds. The bleach-accelerating compounds are polyoxyethylene compounds comprising at least 20 mol % of recurring oxyethylene units, which carry a thioether group in a sidechain.