Abstract: Radiation-sensitive element comprising (a) a substrate with at least one hydrophilic surface and (b) a radiation-sensitive coating on at least one hydrophilic surface of the substrate, wherein the coating comprises: (i) at least one free-radical polymerizable monomer and/or oligomer and/or polymer with at least one ethylenically unsaturated group each, (ii) at least one absorber selected from photoinitiators and sensitizers, which is capable of absorbing radiation of a wavelength in the range of 250 to 1,200 nm and (iii) at least one stabilizer comprising in its molecule at least one group capable of inhibiting free-radical polymerization, and at least one other group capable of sorption at the hydrophilic surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A convenient and economical method for preparing infrared absorbing cyanine dyes useful in lithographic printing plate precursors is disclosed. The reaction is generally carried out by condensation of a heterocyclic base containing an activated methylene group and an unsaturated bisaldehyde or its equivalent in a solvent or solvent mixture at about 20–150° C. All the reactions necessary for production of the infrared absorbing cyanine dye may be carried out in one reaction vessel without isolating any intermediate products.

Abstract: A single-step process for the production of meso-substituted cyanine dyes is provided comprising the reaction of a dye (III), with (a) a methylene compound (IV) or (V) or a quaternary salt (VI) or (VII) and (b) a compound selected from functionalized (hetero)aromatic compounds Ar—B, saturated cyclic amines (IV) and heteroaromatic compounds (V).

Abstract: Radiation-sensitive element comprising (a) a substrate with at least one hydrophilic surface and (b) a radiation-sensitive coating on at least one hydrophilic surface of the substrate, wherein the coating comprises: (i) at least one free-radical polymerizable monomer and/or oligomer and/or polymer with at least one ethylenically unsaturated group each, (ii) at least one absorber selected from photoinitiators and sensitizers, which is capable of absorbing radiation of a wavelength in the range of 250 to 1,200 nm and (iii) at least one stabilizer comprising in its molecule at least one group capable of inhibiting free-radical polymerization, and at least one other group capable of sorption at the hydrophilic surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A convenient and economical method for preparing infrared absorbing cyanine dyes useful in lithographic printing plate precursors is disclosed. The reaction is generally carried out by condensation of a heterocyclic base containing an activated methylene group and an unsaturated bisaldehyde or its equivalent in a solvent or solvent mixture at about 20-150° C. All the reactions necessary for production of the infrared absorbing cyanine dye may be carried out in one reaction vessel without isolating any intermediate products.

Abstract: Infra-red absorbing polymers useful in imageable products and the lithographic printing field comprise infra-red absorbing groups carried as pendent groups on a polymer backbone. Certain infra-red absorbing groups may also act to insolublize the polymer in a developer, until it is imagewise exposed to infra-red radiation. The resulting heat renders the polymer soluble in the developer. Imageable products employing the infra-red absorbing polymers may include positive working lithographic printing plates.

Abstract: Imageable precursors for masks and for electronic parts comprise a polymeric layer applied to a substrate. The layer comprises at least one polymer having infra-red absorbing groups carried as pendent groups on the polymer backbone. Certain infrared absorbing groups may also act to insolubilize the polymer in a developer, until it is imagewise exposed to infra-red radiation. Imagewise application of heat, resulting from imagewise exposure of the precursor to infra-red radiation, renders the polymer layer more soluble in the developer than prior to exposure to the infra-red radiation.

Abstract: Infra-red absorbing polymers useful in imageable products and the lithographic printing field comprise infra-red absorbing groups carried as pendent groups on a polymer backbone. Certain infra-red absorbing groups may also act to insolublize the polymer in a developer, until it is imagewise exposed to infra-red radiation. The resulting heat renders the polymer soluble in the developer. Imageable products employing the infra-red absorbing polymers may include positive working lithographic printing plates.

Abstract: Copolymers containing the units A, B, C, D and optionally E are used to prepare radiation sensitive compositions and lithographic printing plates. The copolymer contains about 25 to 55 mol % of unit A which has the formula The copolymer contains about 0.5 to 25 mol % of unit B which has the formula wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl and aralkyl. The copolymer contains about 0.5 to 40 mol % of unit C which has the formula wherein X is an aliphatic or aromatic spacer group, and Ac is an acidic group selected from the group consisting of —COOH, —SO3H, —SO2NR9R10 with R9 and R10 independently being selected from hydrogen and alkyl; and when X is phenylene, Ac can also be OH.

Abstract: Copolymers containing the units A, B, C, D and optionally E are used to prepare radiation sensitive compositions and lithographic printing plates.

Abstract: Imagable precursors for masks and for electronic parts comprise a polymeric layer applied to a substrate. The layer comprises at least one polymer having infra-red absorbing groups carried as pendent groups on the polymer backbone. Certain infra-red absorbing groups may also act to insolubilize the polymer in a developer, until it is imagewise exposed to infra-red radiation. Imagewise application of heat, resulting from imagewise exposure of the precursor to infra-red radiation, renders the polymer layer more soluble in the developer than prior to exposure to the infra-red radiation.

Abstract: Infra-red absorbing polymers useful in imageable products and the lithographic printing field comprise infra-red absorbing groups carried as pendent groups on a polymer backbone. Certain infra-red absorbing groups may also act to insolublize the polymer in a developer, until it is imagewise exposed to infra-red radiation. The resulting heat renders the polymer soluble in the developer. Imagable products employing the infra-red absorbing polymers may include positive working lithographic printing plates.

Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor comprising on a support a radiation sensitive composition which comprises (1) a novolac resin, (2) a condensing agent for the novolac resin which is either a methylol polyvinyl phenol compound or a bishydroxymethyl compound, (3) a radiation sensitive latent acid generating compound, and (4) an infra-red sensitizing dye.