| abstract |
A photographic element comprises a support and at least one silver halide emulsion layer in which the silver halide is sensitized with a fragmentable electron donor of the formula X--Y, wherein X is an electron donor moiety and Y is a leaving group other than hydrogen, and wherein: n 1) X--Y has an oxidation potential between 0 and about 1.4 V; and n 2) the oxidized form of X--Y undergoes a bond cleavage reaction to give the radical X.sup.• and the leaving fragment Y. n In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the radical X.sup.• has an oxidation potential ≦-0.7V. |