Abstract: Photographic processing devices such as stainless steel racks and tanks are cleaned to remove contaminants such as silver by contacting the devices with a cleaning solution comprising water, a mineral acid such as nitric acid, a soluble cerium (IV) salt such as ceric ammonium nitrate, and acetic acid. The cleaning solutions have a pH no greater than 1. The acetic acid inhibits the formation of a brown stain on the stainless steel.

Abstract: Di-cation ether salts are prepared by a reaction sequence which comprises(i) N-alkylating a 2-halopyridine,(ii) reacting the N-alkylated product with a 2-hydroxypyridine in the presence of sufficient organic base to combine with the by-product hydrohalic acid, and(iii) reacting the mono-cation ether thereby produced with an alkylating agent.The process is conducted in the presence of a solvent, such as acetonitrile. The di-cation can be isolated by removal of the solvent, followed by contacting the reaction mixture with an aqueous fluoborate, whereby the di-cation ether precipitates as the fluoborate salt. The di-cation ether is prepared in surprisingly high yield. The process can be conducted in one reaction vessel without isolation of a product intermediate formed in the reaction sequence. The fluoborate product is quite pure. If desired, the fluoborate anion can be removed from the di-cation ether by suspending the di-cation ether fluoborate in water, and reacting it with a potassium salt such as KNO.sub.

Abstract: Pyrazolotriazoles such as 3,6-disubstituted-1H-pyrazolo[5,1-c]-1,2,4-triazoles: ##STR1## are useful in the photographic arts, e.g. as magenta couplers. They may be made from 3,6-disubstituted-7H-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazines: ##STR2## by a two-step process. The first step comprises a ring contraction and a diacylation. The second step comprises hydrolysis of the acyl groups and desulfurization. The second step is conducted using an aqueous mixture of a hydrohalic acid such as hydrochloric acid and hypophosphorous acid, H.sub.3 PO.sub.2. When the hypophosphorous acid is used, less sulfur and sulfur-containing impurities are formed.

Abstract: Free standing, optically clear, poly(acrylate) or poly(methacrylate) film having dispersed therein silica which is produced in situ from an alkoxysilane, using acid catalysis and a substantially stoichiometric amount of water for hydrolysis. The film forming process comprises a drying and curing step conducted in an open system. The temperatures and pH employed determine the nature and morphology of the dispersed silica phase. The film-forming process is conducted in the substantial absence of a polymerizable substance other than the alkoxysilane.

Abstract: Silicic acid heteropolycondensates containing a luminescent compound, whose luminescence is quenchable by oxygen, form suitable sensors for measuring oxygen content in an oxygen-containing gaseous, liquid, or solid sample.

Abstract: Process for the introduction of functional or functionalizable substituents para to the amino group in 2-aminophenols and 3-aminophenols. The process proceeds in one step, with substitution occurring selectively at the position para to the amino group. Consequently, the reaction is surprisingly straightforward, with very little or no contamination by isomeric by-products. The process comprises reaction of (a) an aminophenol having an open para position to the amino function, with (b) an unhindered non-enolizable aldehyde, and (c) a thiol or sulfinic acid which acts as a nucleophile. In preferred embodiments, the process is conducted at a temperature of from about 50.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C., and in the presence of a polar solvent. The reaction is promoted by an acid having sufficient acidity to protonate the amino group of the aminophenol. Preferably, the acid promoter is a mineral acid, and it is present in an amount at least substantially equivalent to the amount of aminophenol reactant.

Abstract: Potassium iodide (or a related iodide) when incorporated in an alkaline activator for use in a rapid access processor using developer-incorporated, resin-coated paper, (i) produces a cold image tone in black-and-white photographic prints, and (ii) maintains the image tone of a large number of prints within a narrow image tone range over a (one week or one thousand 8.times.10 inch print) design life of the activator solution.

Abstract: Epoxy resins which have silicon-containing functional groups along the polymer backbone are prepared by reacting a polyether having non-terminal hydroxy groups with a modifying agent which (i) reacts with hydroxy groups and (ii) which also contains trialkoxysilane groups. The modified resins can be reacted with a silicon oxide precursor to form an organic/inorganic composite. The composites are shown to have improved properties at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: Copolymers are made by reacting maleic anhydride or a related compound with a 4-vinyl-1,3-dioxolane in the presence of a free radical initiator. The dioxolane reactant can be made by reacting a ketone with 3,4-epoxy-1-butene, or a substituted derivative thereof.

Abstract: Copolymers are produced when 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (EpB) is coplymerized with maleic anhydride. The copolymerization is initiated by free radicals, and comprises both 1,2-propagation and 1,5-propagation of EpB. When an ether is used as the reaction solvent, the product is soluble, and essentially composed of (a) a monomer derived from maleic anhydride, and (b) two monomers derived from EpB. When the reaction solvent is a ketone, the polymer product is also soluble, and additionally contains (c) a moiety derived from a dioxolane formed in situ. When the reaction is conducted in the presence of a non polar (e.g., hydrocarbon or a halocarbon) solvent, or neat (i.e., in the absence of a solvent), the polymer product is insoluble in common organic solvents and contains (d) a symmetrical EpB dimer. This dimer apparently does not form, or is formed to only a very slight extent, when the polymerization is conducted in polar reaction solvents.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, poly(4-phenylsulfone) is prepared by self-condensation of sodium 4-fluorophenyl sulfinate. The process is initiated by a small quantity of 4,4'-difluorophenylsulfone. The process is conducted in the presence of a dipolar, aprotic solvent such as dimethylsulfoxide. The reaction is conducted at a mildly elevated temperature, preferably within the range of from about 100.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for synthesizing a polyhaloaromatic hydrazine compound, such as a tetra- or a penta- halophenylhydrazine. Such compounds are useful in the preparation of photographic color couplers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a passive radiation detector wherein the base thereof defines a housing adapted to receive a lid thereof in closed position, the housing comprises means for articulated connection of the lid and means for immobilization of the lid in open position, and the lid comprises, on its inner face in closed position, means for holding a substrate and for exposure thereof when the lid is in open position.The invention is particularly useful for the measurement of radiation in buildings.

Abstract: Block copolymers of vinyl monomers and thioarylene segments are prepared from copoly(arylene sulfide-disulfides), i.e., copoly(arylene sulfides) having an appreciable quantity of disulfide linkages in the polymer chains. Such copoly(arylene sulfides) correspond to the structure [(--A--S--).sub.1-x (A--S--S--).sub.x ].sub.n, wherein X is in the range of 0.5 to 0.001 based on the combined number of (--A--S--) and (A--S--S--) units. In a preferred embodiment n is at least 200; however, polymers and prepolymers having a much lower degree of polymerization can be used, e.g., materials where n is about 25 or higher. To prepare the block copolymers, an unsaturated monomer capable of undergoing free radical addition polymerization under the reaction conditions employed is subjected to such polymerization in the presence of the copoly(arylene sulfide-disulfide) having the above formula. During the course of the polymerization, chain transfer occurs resulting in formation of the block copolymers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for reducing a nitro group substituent on an aromatic compound to an amino group and is characterized by treatment of the compound in the presence of iron or zinc and a halogen-containing aliphatic carboxylic acid.

Abstract: An ink composition that is useful in ink jet printing contains a polymeric binder and a dye dissolved in a liquid medium containing water, certain organic liquids which function as a solvent for the binder and the dye, and certain other organic liquids which function as evaporation retardants. The ink composition is environmentally safe, has excellent shelf life, and exhibits excellent physical and chemical properties for use in ink jet printers.

Abstract: A method for processing photographic silver halide color negative film and color negative paper each through its own color developing solutions wherein the paper color developing solution is replenished and the overflow from this replenished solution is used to replenish the film color developing solution and wherein (a) the color paper is based on substantially pure silver chloride emulsions and contains no more than 1% molar silver bromide based on total silver halide and (b) both color developing solutions and the replenisher are free from benzyl alcohol.Apparatus for carrying out the above-described method comprises a series of processing stations and means for advancing the photographic material being processed through the apparatus wherein there is provided means for collecting the overflow from the paper developer station and means for passing it directly or indirectly to the film processing station.

Abstract: A 1,7-diacetylpyrazolotriazole was prepared by acid catalyzed acetylation of 6-methyl-3-[3-(4-nitrophenyl)propyl]-1H-pyrazolo[5,1-C]-1,2,4-triazole. Hydrolysis gave the 7-acetylpyrazolotriazole. Oxidation converted the 7-acetylpyrazolotriazole to a 7-acetoxypyrazolotriazole.

Abstract: Potassium iodide (or a related iodide) when incorporated in an alkaline activator for use in a rapid access processor using developer-incorporated, resin-coated paper, (i) produces a cold image tone in black-and-white photographic prints, and (ii) maintains the image tone of a large number of prints within a narrow image tone range over a (one week or one thousand 8.times.10 inch print) design life of the activator solution.

Abstract: Unsymmetrical tellurapyrylium dyes can be ungraded in purity by separating them from symmetrical analogs produced as co-products. The procedure employed for the purification comprises an oxidative halogenation, followed by a fractional crystallization, and a reduction to regenerate the tellurapyrylium dye.