Infrared - absorbent trinuclear cyanine - dyes for a dye - donor - element, in the case of the laser - induced thermal dye - transmission is used.

摘要

A dye-donor element for laser-induced thermal dye transfer comprising a support having thereon a dye layer and an infrared-absorbing material which is different from the dye in the dye layer, and wherein the infrared-absorbing material is a trinuclear cyanine dye. In a preferred embodiment, the trinuclear cyanine dye has the following formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 each independently represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or cycloalkyl group having from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms or an aryl or hetaryl group having from about 5 to about 10 atoms;PPR. sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup. 6, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 each independently represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, alkoxy, aryloxy, acyloxy, aryloxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, sulfonyl, carbamoyl, acyl, acylamido, alkylamino, arylamino or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl or hetaryl group;P Por any of said R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 groups may be combined with R.sup.1, R.sup.2 or R. sup.3 or with each other to form a 5- to 7-membered substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring;PPJ is NR. sup.1 O, or S;P PZ.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 each independently represents hydrdogen, R.sup.1 or the atoms necessary to form a 5- to 7- membered substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; PPY.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 each independently represents a dialkyl-substituted carbon atom, a vinylene group, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a selenium atom, a tellurium atom, NR.sup.1, or a direct bond to the carbon at the R.sup.5 or R.sup.7 position;PPm and n are each independently 0 to 3, with the proviso that n+m is at least 3; andPPX is a monovalent anionic group isolated or covalently attached to any of said R. sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R. sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, Z. sup.1 or Z.sup.2 groups.