| abstract |
A photosensitive azo compound represented by general formula (I), wherein R¹ and R² may be the same or different from each other and each represents halogen, halogenated C₁ to C₆ alkyl, -NO₂, -SC≡N, -C≡N, -SO₃H, -C n F 2n COOF, -C n F 2n COF, -C n F 2n COOC m F 2m+1 , wherein n and m each represents an integer of 1 to 6, -SO₂NH₂, -SO₂NHCF₃ or -SO₂NHCH₃; and R³ represents hydrogen, -NH₂, -NHCOCH=CH₂ or a group containing vinyl or vinylene in its structure. The compound reversibly isomerizes upon being irradiated with light to thereby cause a change in wettability. An image forming device wherein a photosensitive medium containing this compound is selectively exposed and ink is selectively adhered to the surface of this medium to form an image, which is transferred and fixed. |