Abstract: Hydrophilic colloids, such as gelatin, which are employed in the manufacture of photographic elements are commonly treated with a hardening composition, among the most useful of which are hardening compositions containing vinyl sulfone hardening agents such as bis(vinylsulfonyl)methane. In accordance with this invention, a sulfate, such as sodium sulfate, is utilized as both an effective conductivity marker and an effective inhibitor of homopolymerization in such hardening compositions.

Abstract: Photographic elements, diffusion transfer assemblages and processes are described wherein a polymeric vehicle is employed in a metallizable dye image-receiving layer, a layer adjacent thereto or both. The polymeric vehicle comprises a cross-linked polymer derived from recurring units of an acrylamide, a 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone or a 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate and a cross-linkable monomer.

Abstract: An image dye receiving element comprises a support having thereon in order:(1) a layer comprising a source of metal ions and a binder therefor; and(2) a dye image receiving layer comprising a polymer containing heterocyclic tertiary groups.The receiving element can be used in an image transfer film unit which contains a dye ligand or dye ligand former and the film unit is stable to metal ion wandering and the resulting metallized dye image is stable to fading.

Abstract: A polymer comprising acrylamide units or anionic sulfonate units and a unit having the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R is H, halogen or alkyl;L is a linking group; andM is H, an ammonium cation or an alkali metal, can be metallized to form a metallized polymer. The metallized polymer is useful either as or with a mordant for dyes or dye formers that chelate metals.

Abstract: A photographic element comprising a support, a layer containing certain photographically useful fragments and a layer containing a dye mordant composition comprising a polymer having recurring units of the formula: ##STR1## wherein: A comprises polymerized units of ethylenically unsaturated monomers;R is H or alkyl;R.sup.1 is H, alkyl or is a group containing at least one atomatic nucleus;Q is a linking group;Y is H or an inert group;X is a leaving group;E and F are the atoms necessary to complete a 5-7 membered heterocyclic ring;n is 0 to 2;m is 1 to 3;p is 0 or 1;x is 0 to 90 weight percent; andy is 10 to 100 weight percent of the polymer.The polymeric mordants covalently bond with dyes or dye precursors and are especially useful in diffusion transfer processes.

Abstract: A photographic element comprising a support, a layer containing certain photographically useful and/or active fragments and a layer containing a dye mordant composition comprising a polymer having recurring units of the formula selected from the group consisting of: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.2 is hydrogen or alkyl;R.sup.1 is hydrogen, alkyl or aryl;L is a linking group;W is an electron-withdrawing group;X is a leaving group; andn is 0 or 1.The polymeric mordants covalently bond with dyes or dye precursors and are especially useful in diffusion transfer processes.

Abstract: A photographic element comprising a support, a layer containing certain photographically useful and/or active fragments and a layer containing a dye mordant composition comprising a polymer having recurring units of the formula selected from the group consisting of: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.2 is hydrogen or alkyl;R.sup.1 is hydrogen, alkyl or aryl;L is a linking group;W is an electron-withdrawing group;X is a leaving group; andn is 0 or 1.The polymeric mordants covalently bond with dyes or dye precursors and are especially useful in diffusion transfer processes.

Abstract: A polymer comprising acrylamide units or anionic sulfonate units and a unit having the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R is H, halogen or alkyl;L is a linking group; andM is H,an ammonium cation or an alkali metal, can be metallized to form a metallized polymer. The metallized polymer is useful either as or with a mordant for dyes or dye formers that chelate metals.

Abstract: A photographic element comprising a support, a layer containing certain photographically useful fragments and a layer containing a dye mordant composition comprising a polymer having recurring units of the formula: ##STR1## wherein: A comprises polymerized units of ethylenically unsaturated monomers;R is H or alkyl;R.sup.1 is H, alkyl or is a group containing at least one atomatic nucleus;Q is a linking group;Y is H or an inert group;X is a leaving group;E and F are the atoms necesary to complete a 5-7 membered heterocyclic ring;N is 0 to 2;M is 1 to 3;P is 0 or 1;X is 0 to 90 weight percent; andY is 10 to 100 weight percent of the polymer.The polymeric mordants covalently bond with dyes or dye precursors and are especially useful in diffusion transfer processes.

Abstract: The incorporation of polymers containing at least 80% by weight of substituted or unsubstituted poly(vinyl imidazole) in a photographic element containing fluorescent optical brighteners immobilizes the brighteners. The photographic elements resist loss of brightness due to photographic processing or washing.

Abstract: A process for preparing photographic elements comprising a support, a layer containing an acid dye or acid dye precursor and a layer containing a dye mordant composition, said process comprising coating on a support with a substantially aqueous dispersion of a polymer containing units according to the formula: ##SPC1##Wherein A represents units of an addition-polymerizable monomer containing at least 2 ethylenically-unsaturated groups; B represents units of a copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer; Q is N or P; R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently selected from the group consisting of carbocyclic groups and alkyl groups; M.sup.- is an anion and x is from about 0.25 to about 5 mole percent; y is from about 0 to about 90 mole percent and z is from about 10 to about 99 mole percent; and applying a layer containing acid dyes or acid dye precursors. The polymeric mordants are especially useful in diffusion transfer processes.