| abstract |
A dye-donor element for thermal dye transfer comprises a support having thereon a 3-(N-alkyl- or N-aryl-amino)-2-pyrazolin-5-one merocyanine dye dispersed in a polymeric binder, the merocyanine dye being capable of transfer by diffusion to a dye-receiving element upon the application of heat and being incapable of substantial photolysis, the merocyanine dye being substituted or unsubstituted on the bridging methine carbon atoms. In a preferred embodiment, the merocyanine dye has the formula: <IMAGE> wherein: R represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group of from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group of from about 6 to about 10 carbon atoms; R1 and R2 each independently represents hydrogen, with the proviso that only one of R1 and R2 may be hydrogen at the same time; a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group of from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group of from about 6 to about 10 carbon atoms; or R1 and R2 may be combined together with the nitrogen to which they are attached to form a heterocyclic ring system; R3 is R; n represents 0 or 1; and Z represents the atoms necessary to complete a 5- or 6-membered substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic ring. |