Radiation-cleavable nondiffusible compounds and photographic elements and processes employing them

DETAILED DESCRIPTION What is claimed is: 1.
A radiation-sensitive element comprising a support bearing a layer of a nondiffusible radiation-cleavable compound consisting of a spectral sensitizing dye moiety containing a pyridine or quinoline nucleus and a diffusible preformed or shifted image dye moiety, the diffusible image dye moiety being joined to the nitrogen atom of the pyridine or quinoline nucleus in the spectral sensitizing dye moiety through an alkoxy linkage which is cleaved upon absorption of radiation by the spectral sensitizing dye moiety, thereby releasing a diffusible dye.
2.
An element of claim 1 wherein the spectral sensitizing dye moiety is a cyanine or merocyanine dye moiety.
3.
An element of claim 2 wherein the diffusible image dye moiety is an azo, azomethine, indophenol, anthraquinone, alizarin, quinoline or phthalocyanine dye moiety.
4.
An element of claim 1, wherein the nondiffusible radiation-cleavable compound has the structure: ##STR19## where: Q represents the atoms to complete a pyridine or quinoline ring; SENS is attached to the 2 or 4 position of the pyridine or quinoline ring and represents the atoms which, in conjunction with N, complete a spectral sensitizing dye; ALK represents an alkylene moiety of 1 to 8 carbon atoms; DYE represents a diffusible preformed or shifted photographic dye moiety; and X.
sup.
.
crclbar.
represents an anion, if necessary to provide charge neutrality.
5.
An element of claim 4 wherein SENS represents the atoms which, with Q, complete a cyanine or merocyanine dye.
6.
An element of claim 5 wherein DYE represents an azo, azomethine, indophenol, anthraquinone, alizarin, quinoline or phthalocyanine dye moiety.
7.
An element of claim 4 wherein Q represents the atoms necessary to complete a pyridine ring; SENS represents the atoms necessary to complete, with the pyridine ring, a cyanine dye; ALK represents an alkylene moiety of 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and DYE represents an azo dye moiety.
8.
A photographic combination comprising an element of claim 1 having associated therewith a receiving layer