Abstract: A photothermographic element comprising a support bearing at least one heat-developable, photosensitive, image-forming photothermographic emulsion layer comprising:(a) a photosensitive silver halide;(b) a non-photosensitive, reducible source of silver;(c) a chromogenic leuco dye reducing agent; and(d) a binder;wherein the chromogenic leuco dye reducing agent is a chromogenic leuco redox-dye-releasing compound of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein: (i) Cp is a coupler group;(ii) N--D is a photographic developer group; and(iii) R.sup.1 is a --C(O)--NH--A--Dye group wherein Dye represents the chromophore of a thermally mobile dye; and A represents a single bond or a divalent linking group of the formula --X--R.sup.5 --L--, wherein R.sup.5 is a divalent hydrocarbon chain containing up to 12 carbon atoms, L is a single bond or a divalent group that binds the chromophore of the thermally mobile dye to R.sup.5, and X represents a single bond or an --SO.sub.2 -- group.

Abstract: A photothermographic element comprising a support bearing at least one heat-developable, photosensitive, image-forming photothermographic emulsion layer comprising:(a) a photosensitive silver halide;(b) a non-photosensitive, reducible source of silver;(c) a chromogenic leuco dye reducing agent; and(d) a binder;wherein the chromogenic leuco dye reducing agent is a chromogenic leuco redox-dye-releasing compound of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein: (i) Cp is a coupler group;(ii) N--D is a photographic developer group; and(iii) R.sup.1 is a --C(O)--NH--A--Dye group wherein Dye represents the chromophore of a thermally mobile dye; and A represents a single bond or a divalent linking group of the formula --X--R.sup.5 --L--, wherein R.sup.5 is a divalent hydrocarbon chain containing up to 12 carbon atoms, L is a single bond or a divalent group that binds the chromophore of the thermally mobile dye to R.sup.5, and X represents a single bond or an --SO.sub.2 -- group.

Abstract: A thermal-dye-bleach construction comprising a dye in association with a thermal dye-bleaching agent of general formula I: ##STR1## wherein: each of R.sup.a and R.sup.b are individually selected from: hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aralkyl group, an aryl group, and a heterocyclic group, and preferably, both R.sup.a and R.sup.b represent hydrogen;p is one or two, and when p is one, Z is a monovalent group selected from: an akyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aralkyl group, an aryl group, and a heterocyclic group, and when p is two, Z is a divalent group selected from: an alkylene group, an arylene group, an alkenylene group, an alkynylene group, an aralkylene group, a cycloalkene group, and a heterocyclic group; and,M.sup.+ is a cation which will not react with a carbanion generated from the thermal-carbanion-generating agent in such manner as to render the carbanion ineffective as a bleaching agent for the dye.

Abstract: A thermal-dye-bleach construction comprising a dye in association with a thermal dye-bleaching agent of general formula I: ##STR1## wherein: each of R.sup.a and R.sup.b are individually selected from: hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aralkyl group, an aryl group, and a heterocyclic group, and preferably, both R.sup.a and R.sup.b represent hydrogen;p is one or two, and when p is one, Z is a monovalent group selected from: an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aralkyl group, an aryl group, and a heterocyclic group, and when p is two, Z is a divalent group selected from: an alkylene group, an arylene group, an alkenylene group, an alkynylene group, an aralkylene group, a cycloalkene group, and a heterocyclic group; and,M.sup.+ is cation which will not react with acarbanion generated from the thermal-carbanion-generating agent in such manner as to render the carbanion ineffective as a bleaching agent for the dye.

Abstract: A thermal-dye-bleach construction comprising a polymethine dye having a nucleus of general formula I: ##STR1## in association with a thermal-carbanion-generating agent having the general formula: ##STR2## wherein the substituents are as defined in the specification and claims.