Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel linear copolymers having weight average molecular weight of 500-30,000 and comprising structural units represented by the following formulae (I), (II), (III) and (IV): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 mean individually an alkyl group having 4 or fewer carbon atoms and R.sub.4 denotes an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl or phenyl group, and multivalent metal salts thereof in each of which the multivalent metal forms the multivalent metal salt between carboxyl groups within the same molecule of the copolymer or between different molecules of the copolymer; color-developing agents comprising multivalent metal-modified resins of the copolymers; and color-developing sheets obtained by coating the color-developing agents on their surfaces.

Abstract: A microcapsule-containing water-base coating formulation comprises as essential components (a) microcapsules making use of a synthetic resin as a wall-forming material and (b) a reaction product obtained by polymerizing at least one water-soluble vinyl monomer (B) in the presence of a high polymer latex (A) having a glass transition point of 60.degree. C. or lower. The latex (A) and vinyl monomer (B) are used at a solid weight ratio of 3:97-90:10. The water-base coating formulation can provide a microcapsule-coated layer having significantly-improved pressure resistance and frictional stability without need for a stilt. The water-base coating formulation can be applied at a high speed, thereby making a significant improvement to the productivity of carbonless copying and/or recording paper.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel benzoquinone derivative represented by the following general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 means an alkyl or cycloalkyl group, R.sub.2 denotes an alkyl or cycloalkyl group, a phenyl group which may optionally contain one or more halogen atoms and/or alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkylene, phenoxy, phenyl and/or biphenylyl groups, or a benzyl or naphthyl group which may optionally contain one or more methyl groups. This compound is useful as an oxidative color-developing agent for recording materials.

Abstract: This invention relates to a temperature control indicator unit comprising a substrate having supported thereon (a) microcapsules enclosing a hydrophobic organic compound possessing an arbitrarily selected melting point, (b) a methine dye and (c) an oxidizing material. More particularly, a unit made by combining an irreversibly color-developing methine dye and an oxidizing material with microcapsules enclosing a hydrophobic organic compound possessing a predetermined melting point and supporting them on a substrate is used for temperature control purposes. A suitable measure is taken, preferably at or below the desired control temperature, to break at least a part of the microcapsules of the unit and thereby produce fissures or the like in the microcapsule membrane. Then, the unit is stored or transported together with an article to be placed under temperature control.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of triarylmethane compounds which comprises reacting a benzene or naphthalene compound with a formylating agent for such compounds in the presence of an acid catalyst to form an aromatic aldehyde compound; adding water to the reaction mixture and thereby hydrolyzing the acid catalyst without isolating the aromatic aldehyde compound from the reaction mixture; and uninterruptedly condensing the aromatic aldehyde compound with an aromatic compound in the resulting mixture.

Abstract: When obtaining microcapsules by covering a hydrophobic material with an aminoaldehyde polycondensation product as a wall-forming material in an acidic aqueous medium containing an anionic water-soluble polymer, a microcapsule slurry having a high solid content and low viscosity can be obtained by using as the anionic water-soluble polymer a multi-component copolymer consisting as essential monomer components thereof of at least three types of acrylic monomers selected respectively from (A) acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid, (B) acrylonitrile and/or methacrylonitrile and (C) an acrylamidoalkylsulfonic acid and/or sulfoalkyl acrylate. Over a wide pH range, the microcapsule slurry obtained in accordance with this invention undergoes little viscosity changes and exhibits neither destruction of its dispersed state nor coagulating tendency. Resulting microcapsules have a sharp particle size distribution and are equipped with dense wall films.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive recording unit formed by supporting a methine-type chromogenic reactant and oxidizing organic compound on a base. A color production sensitivity regulator may further be supported on the base. It is also feasible to add a quaternary ammonium salt, tertiary alkanol amine or water-soluble ion sequestering agent for avoiding undesirable color production of the methine-type chromogenic reactant. The ammonium salt, amine or ion sequestering agent may be added upon forming the methine-type chromogenic reactant into an aqueous suspension in order support the methine-type chromogenic reactant on the base.

Abstract: Dyestuff-containing microscopic capsule suspension for record materials, containing in microscopic capsules a lactone family dyestuff represented by the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein a, b, c and d are each a carbon atom or either one or two atoms of said a, b, c and d are nitrogen atoms and the remaining atoms are carbon atoms, said a, b, c and d may have one or two substituent groups, adjacent a-b, b-c or c-d bond may form another ring, X and Y represent individually a benzene, naphthalene or aromatic heterocyclic ring which may include one or more substituent groups, and X and Y may be the same or different and may be coupled together to form a ring; and a metal ion sequestering agent in the capsules or a liquid medium in which the capsules are suspended.

Abstract: Disclosed is a color-developer for pressure-sensitive recording sheets, comprising a co-condensate of a reaction intermediate of a p-substituted phenol and a trifunctional or higher phenol, or a polyvalent metal salt of said co-condensate, said reaction intermediate being obtained by the reaction of said p-substituted phenol under acidic conditions with formaldehyde or a substance capable of generating formaldehyde.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure sensitive recording unit which comprises a single base web sheet and a methine-type dyestuff and an organic oxidizing compound both supported on the single base web sheet, or a combination of first and second base web sheets and the methine-type dyestuff and organic oxidizing compound supported individually on the first and second base web sheets. Such a recording unit includes for example a pressure sensitive recording unit formed in combination of (a) a back-coated topsheet (CB-sheet) making use of microscopic capsules containing a solution obtained by dissolving a methine-type dyestuff in a solvent having a high boiling point and (b) a front-coated undersheet (CF-sheet) carrying an organic oxidizing compound coated thereon. Also disclosed is a pressure sensitive recording unit which includes a base web sheet carrying thereon such a methine-type dyestuff together with a metal ion sequestering agent and/or alkanol amine.

Abstract: A dyestuff-containing microscopic capsule dispersion for record materials, which comprises at least one methine dyestuff represented by the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein X means a phenyl, naphthyl, indolyl, .beta.-styryl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl or pyrazinyl group which may optionally be substituted, R.sub.1 -R.sub.6 are individually an amino, substituted amino, lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, lower alkoxy or lower haloalkyl group or a halogen or hydrogen atom, R.sub.7 and R.sub.

Abstract: Disclosed is a color-developer for pressure-sensitive recording sheets, comprising a co-condensate of a reaction intermediate of a p-substituted phenol and a trifunctional or higher phenol, or a polyvalent metal salt of said co-condensate, said reaction intermediate being obtained by the reaction of said p-substituted phenol under alkaline conditions with formaldehyde or a substance capable of generating formaldehyde.

Abstract: Disclosed is a color-developing composition for pressure-sensitive recording sheet material of the self-contained type comprising (A) 100 parts by weight of a copolymer obtained by reacting a p-alkylphenol having an alkyl moiety of from 1 to 12 carbon atoms and phenol with formaldehyde and (B) from 1 to 20 parts by weight of a hindered phenolic compound selected from phenols having an alkyl, alkylene or hydroxyl substituent radical in at least the 2- or 6-position, or both, of the benzene ring and derivatives thereof, the copolymer and the hindered phenolic compound being homogeneously dissolved in mutual solution. The hindered phenolic compound is either added to the starting materials for the preparation of the copolymer or, at the end of the copolymerization reaction, added to the resulting copolymer and dissolved homogeneously in mutual solution.

Abstract: Disclosed is a color-developing composition for pressure-sensitive recording sheet material of the self-contained type comprising (A) 100 parts by weight of a copolymer obtained by reacting a p-alkylphenol having an alkyl moiety of from 1 to 12 carbon atoms and phenol with formaldehyde and (B) from 1 to 20 parts by weight of a hindered phenolic compound selected from phenols having an alkyl, alkylene or hydroxyl substituent radical in at least the 2- or 6-position, or both, of the benzene ring and derivatives thereof, the copolymer and the hindered phenolic compound being homogeneously dissolved in mutual solution. The hindered phenolic compound is either added to the starting materials for the preparation of the copolymer or, at the end of the copolymerization reaction, added to the resulting copolymer and dissolved homogeneously in mutual solution.