Silver halide photographic light-sensitive material
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 280,001, filed Dec. 5, 1988, now abandoned. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material that contains a novel cyan coupler. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Usually, a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material contains a light-sensitive silver halide emulsion, as well as a so-called dye forming coupler that is capable of forming a dye upon reaction with an oxidation product of a color developing agent. 
     As cyan couplers, phenols and naphthols have been in wide use, some of these products being described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,369,929 and 2,474,293. 
     The cyan dye images formed from such phenols or naphthols, however, pose a serious problem in color reproduction. An absorption spectrum of a cyan dye formed thereby shows a disorderly boundary on the shorter wavelength side and has an undesirable irregular absorption in the green region and partly in the blue region. As a solution to this problem, it has been a usual practice, in negative films, to compensate the irregular absorption by masking using colored couplers. This practice, however, incurs retrogression in sensitivity. With respect to sensitive materials in the reversal system, as well as with color paper, color reproducibility remains impaired due to a lack in effective means for compensation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material that contains a novel cyan coupler designed to form a cyan dye having a satisfactory spectrum absorption characteristic featuring a sharp boundary on the shorter wavelength side and minimization of the irregular absorption in the green and blue regions. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material that contains a cyan coupler capable of forming a cyan dye of high color density, i.e. an excellent color forming capability. 
     The above-mentioned objects can be accomplished by a silver halide photographic light sensitive material comprising a support provided thereon with a silver halide emulsion layer, wherein said silver halide emulsion layer contains a cyan coupler represented by the following formula I. ##STR4## wherein A is an organic group combined with the imidazole ring by a carbon atom, a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom contained in these group; B is an ##STR5## a --L--R 4  group or a ##STR6## in which R 2  and R 3  are each a hydrogen atom or a substituent, provided that R 2  and R 3  are allowed to bind to complete a ring; L is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; R 4  is a hydrogen atom or a substituent; and Z is a group of non-metal atoms necessary to form a five to seven-member heterocyclic ring which contains an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom or a nitrogen atom; X is a hydrogen atom, or a group capable of being split off upon reaction with the oxidation product of a color developing agent. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 shows transmittancy spectrum curves for describing the difference between the cyan coupler 60 (Sample 38) of the present invention and a cyan coupler CC-2 (Sample 37) of a comparative example. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following describes a coupler represented by formula I. 
     In formula I, A represents an organic group combined with the imidazole ring via a carbon atom, a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom, or a sulfur atom. The groups represented by A preferably include an alkyl group, an aryl group and a heterocyclic group, and in particular a phenyl group, which include one having a substituent. 
     B is an ##STR7## a --L--R 4  group or a ##STR8## in which R 2  and R 3  are each a hydrogen atom or a substituent, provided that R 2  and R 3  are allowed to bind to complete a ring, L is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom and R 4  is a hydrogen atom or a substituent, and Z is a group of non-metal atoms necessary to form a five to seven-member heterocyclic ring which contains an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom or a nitrogen atom. In these substituent, R 2  and R 3  preferably are each a hydrogen atom, alkyl group or aryl group. R 2  and R 3  may also be bound together to form a heterocyclic ring. 
     Preferable as an alkyl group for either of R 2  and R 3  is one having the straight or branched chain with 1 to 32 carbon atoms, including a cycloalkyl group such as cyclohexyl group. These alkyl groups are allowed to have a substituent, preferable substituent being a halogen atom; groups of hydroxyl, corboxy, cyano, and sulfo; and alkoxy groups with 1 to 22 carbon atoms. 
     Preferable as an aryl group for either of R 2  and R 3  is phenyl group or a substituted phenyl group having a group of nitro, amido, sulfonamide, or the like as a substituent group. 
     Preferable as a heterocycle formed as a result of the bonding between R 2  and R 3  is a five- or six-membered ring. 
     In formula I, R 4  preferably represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group. 
     Example of the alkyl and aryl groups respectively include the same alkyl or aryl groups as R 2  or R 3 . 
     Examples of the preferred heterocyclic group are five- or six-membered rings such as groups of 2-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, 2-benzoimidazolyl, 3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl, 4-morpholino, 3,5-dimethyl-2-furyl, 2,4-dimethyl-5-thiazolyl, 2-acetamido-4-methyl-5-pyrimidinyl, etc. 
     The substituent represemnted by ##STR9## in formula I is a five- to seven member heterocyclic group containing an oxygen atom, sulfur atom or a nitrogen atom. The heterocyclic group preferably includes groups of franyl. thiophenyl, pyrrolyl, axazolyl, iso-oxazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl and 1,3,5-triazinyl and the like. The group represented by ##STR10## may have a substituent. 
     In formula I, X represents a hydrogen atom, or a group capable of being split off upon reaction with an oxidation product of a color developing agent. 
     Examples of those applicable as a group represented by X, which is capable of being split off upon reaction with an oxidation product of a color developing agent, include harogen atoms such as of chlorine, bromine, and fluorine; and groups of hydroxyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, hetrocyclic oxy, acyloxy, sulfonyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, aryloxycarbonyl, alkyloxyaryloxy, alkoxyoxyaryloxy, alkylthio, mercapto, arylthio, heterocyclic thio, alkoxythiocarbonylthio, acylamino, substituted amino, heterocycle with a nitrogen atom as a bond, sulfonamido, alkyloxycarbonylamino, aryloxycarbonylamino, and carboxyl. Among these examples, a preferred one is a halogen atom, and the most preferable a chlorine atom. 
     Among the compounds represented by formula I, usefull examples are those expressed by the following formulas II, III and VI in which A is an aryl group, particular, a phenyl group. ##STR11## 
     In formulas II, III and VI, R 1  is a substituent group, m represents numerals 0 to 5, and R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , L, Z and X are the same as in formula I. 
     The following describes in detail the compound represented by formula II. There is no specific restriction to the substitutent groups represented by R 1  in formula II. Some useful examples include halogen atoms, and groups of cyano, nitro, carboxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, carbamoyl, sulfamoyl, acyl, acyloxy, alkoxycarbonyl, ##STR12## 
     In the above formulas, R 5  and R 6  individually represent an alkyl group or an aryl group with 1 to 22 carbon atoms. The alkyl group and aryl group represented by the R 5  and R 6  include an alkyl group and aryl group having a substituent, respectively. 
     Preferable as an alkyl group represented by R 1  is one of the straight chain or branched types with 1 to 22 carbon atoms, examples being methyl, ethyl, butyl, and dodecyl groups. The alkyl groups include cycloalkyls, such as cyclohexyl, and also substituted alkyls, preferable substituent groups in the latter case being, for example, a halogen atom, hydroxyl, carboxyl, cyano, and also sulfo; or alkoxy with 1 to 22 carbon atoms. 
     Preferable as an alkoxy group is one of the straight chain or branched type with 1 to 22 carbon atoms, examples being the groups of methoxy, ethoxy, i-propyloxy, octyloxy and dodecyloxy. 
     Examples of the carbamoyl groups are the unsubstituted alkylcarbamoyl groups, such as ethylcarbamoyl and dodecylcarbamoyl, and the substituted alkylcarbamoyl groups, such as diethylcarbamoyl, butyloxypropylcarbamoyl and dodecyloxy-propylcarbamoyl. 
     Examples of the sulfamoyl groups are the unsubstituted alkylsulfamoyl groups, such as ethylsulfamoyl, diethylsulfamoyl and dodecylsulfamoyl, and the substituted alkylsulfamoyl groups, such as dodecyloxypropylsulfamoyl. 
     Examples of the arylcarbamoyl groups are the phenylcarbamoyl groups and the substituted phenylcarbamoyl groups, and examples of the arylsulfamoyl groups are phenylsulfamoyl and the various substituted phenylsulfamoyl groups. 
     Examples of the acyl groups are acetyl, benzoyl, butanesulfonyl and benzenesulfonyl; examples of the acyloxy groups are acetoxy, lauroyloxy and butanesulfonyloxy; and examples of the alkoxycarbonyl groups are ethoxycarbonyl, i-propyloxycarbonyl and 2-ethylhexyloxycarbonyl. 
     --NHCOR 5  represents an alkylamido group with 1 to 22 carbon atoms. Typical examples of an unsubstituted alkylamido group are groups of acetamido, butaneamido, laurylamido and stearylamido. The useful groups may also include alicyclic amides such as cyclohexanecarbonamido group, groups with a branched structure such as 2-ethylhexanamido, and those having an unsaturated linkage. 
     Examples of a substituted alkylamido group are halogen-substituted alkylamido groups, such as groups of monochloroacetamido, trichloroacetamido, and perfluorobutaneamido, and phenoxy-substituted alkylamidos, such as groups of m-pentadecylphenoxyacetamido, α-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)pentanamido, α-(2,4-di-t-acylphenoxy)acetamido, and o-chlorophenoxymyristic acid amido. 
     --NHCOR 5  may also represent an arylamido group which include benzamido, naphthoamido an unsubstituted arylamido such as, and such substituted arylamidos, as p-t-butylbenzamido and p-methylbenzamido both as an alkyl-substituted benzamido; p-methoxybenzamido, and o-dodecyloxy-benzamido both as an alkoxy-substituted benzamido; p-acetamidobenzamido, m-lauroylamidobenzamido and m-(2,4-di-t-amyl-phenoxyacetamido)benzamido all as an amido-substituted benzamido; and o-hexadecanesulfonamidobenzamido and p-butane-sulfonamidobenzamido both as a sulfonamido-substituted benzamido. 
     --NHCOOR 5  represents an alkoxycarbonylamino group, either in the substituted state or unsubstituted, with 1 to 22 carbon atoms, typical examples being, for example, ethoxycarbonylamino, i-propoxycarbonylamino, octyloxycarbonylamino, decyloxycarbonyl, and methoxyethyoxycarbonylamino. --NHCOOR 5  may also represent an aryloxycarbonyl group typified by phenoxycarbonyl. ##STR13## represents a dialkylcarbamoylamino group, typical examples being a dimethylcarbamoylamino group and a diethylcarboamoylamino group. 
     --NHSO 2  R 5  represents an alkylsulfonamido group or an arylsulfonamido group. 
     Examples of the alkylsulfonamido group are methanesulfonamido, butanesulfonamido, and dodecanesulfonamido, each being an unsubstituted alkylsulfonamido with 1 to 22 carbon atoms, and benzylsulfonamido as a substituted alkylsulfonamido. 
     Examples of the arylsulfonamido group are benzenesulfonamido and naphthalenesulfonamido both as an unsubstituted arylsulfonamido and such substituted arylsulfonamido as p-toluenesulfonamido, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzensulfonamido and p-dodecylbenzensulfonamido all as an alkyl-substituted benzensulfonamido and p-dodecyloxybenzenesulfonamido and butyloxybenzensulfonamido both as an alkoxy-substituted benzensulfonamido. ##STR14## represents a sulfamoylamino group, preferable examples of which are dimethylsulfamoylamino and dibutylsulfamoylamino both as a dialkylsulfamoylamino. 
     Among the compounds represented by formula II, more suitable ones for the purpose can be expressed by the following formula. ##STR15## 
     In formula IV, R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and X respectively have the same meaning as in formula II, wherein n denotes an integer from 0 to 4, while R 7  represents an alkyl group, an aryl group, ##STR16## 
     Examples of the alkyl and aryl groups respectively include the same alkyl or aryl groups as in formula II. In the case that --NHR 7  represents --NHCOR 5 , --NHCOOR 5 , ##STR17## --NHSO 2  R 5  or ##STR18## R 5  and R 6  respectively have the same meaning as in formula II. 
     The following discusses formula III in detail. In formula III, R 4 , L, X and m respectively have the same meaninhave the same meaning as in formula I and R 1  represents the same as in formula II. 
     Among the compounds represented by formula III, more suitable ones for the purpose can be expressed by the following formula. ##STR19## 
     In formula V, R 1 , R 4 , and X respectively have the same meanings as in formula III, wherein n denotes an integer from 0 to 4, while R 7  has the same meaning as in formula IV. 
     The following describes about formula VI. In formula VI, the group of ##STR20## and X rerspectly have the same meaning as in formula I and R 1  is the same as in formula II. 
     Among the compounds represented by formula VI, more suitable ones for the purpose can be expressed by the following formula. ##STR21## 
     In formula VII, R 1  and the group of --C Z have the same meaning in formula VI, n is an integer of from 0 to 4, and R 7  has the same meaning in formula IV. 
     The following provides typical examples of the cyan coupler of the present invention. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the examples. 
     
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23  Cl                                                                    
                 ##STR67##                 NHCH.sub.2 CH(OC.sub.2         
                                           H.sub.5).sub.2                 
24  Cl                                                                    
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29  Cl                                                                    
                 ##STR79##                 NHC.sub.8 H.sub.17 (t)         
30  Cl                                                                    
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32  Cl                                                                    
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34  Cl                                                                    
                 ##STR87##                 SCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 COOH        
35  Cl                                                                    
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36  Cl                                                                    
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37  H                                                                     
                 ##STR92##                 SC.sub.16 H.sub.33             
38  Cl                                                                    
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43  Cl                                                                    
                 ##STR103##                SCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NHSO.sub.2  
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44  Cl                                                                    
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47  Cl                                                                    
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48  Cl                                                                    
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49  Cl                                                                    
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50  Cl                                                                    
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51  Cl                                                                    
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52  Cl                                                                    
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57  Cl                                                                    
                 ##STR126##                OC.sub.3 H.sub.7 (i)           
58  Cl                                                                    
                 ##STR127##                OCH.sub.3                      
59  Cl                                                                    
                 ##STR128##                SC.sub.16 H.sub.33             
60  Cl                                                                    
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61  Cl                                                                    
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84  Cl                                                                    
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86   Cl                                                                   
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87  Cl                                                                    
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88  Cl                                                                    
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89  Cl                                                                    
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100 Cl                                                                    
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101 Cl                                                                    
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102 Cl                                                                    
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103 Cl                                                                    
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104 Cl                                                                    
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105 Cl                                                                    
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106 Cl                                                                    
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107 Cl                                                                    
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108 Cl                                                                    
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109 Cl                                                                    
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110 Cl                                                                    
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111 Cl                                                                    
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112 Cl                                                                    
                 ##STR233##                NHCOCH.sub.3                   
113 Cl                                                                    
                 ##STR234##                OC.sub.3 H.sub.7               
114 Cl                                                                    
                 ##STR235##                SC.sub.16 H.sub.33             
115 Cl                                                                    
                 ##STR236##                OC.sub.6 H.sub.13              
116 Cl                                                                    
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117 Cl                                                                    
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118 Cl                                                                    
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119 Cl                                                                    
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120 Cl                                                                    
                 ##STR245##                OC.sub.8 H.sub.17              
121 Cl                                                                    
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122 Cl                                                                    
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123 Cl                                                                    
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124 Cl                                                                    
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125 Cl                                                                    
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__________________________________________________________________________
 
    
     Cyan couplers of the present invention can be synthesized in accordance with the method disclosed in a report of Chemische Berichte (Pages 639 through 642 of the 34th volume, 1901) by Frang Kunkell. Typical synthesizing procedures of the method are as follows. 
     SYNTHESIS 1 
     Synthesis of: 2-hexadecylthio-4-[o-{α-(2,4-di-t-acylphenoxy)-β-methylbutaneamido}phenyl]imidazole (Synthesis of Compound 37) 
     10.6 g of o-{α-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)-β-methylbutaneamido}-α-bromoacetophenone was suspended in 100 ml of acetonitryl, and 12.9 g of S-hexadecylisothiolea was added. Then 30 ml of dimethylformamido was added, and the mixture was subjected to heat at 60° C. for 5 minutes. The mixture was placed in 500 ml of water and extracted with 200 ml of ethyl acetate, dried with magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was then removed by reducing the environmental pressure. The residue was purified with silica gel column (developing solvent: ethyl acetate and hexane at the ratio of 1:6) to obtain 3.0 g of 2-hexadecylthio-4-[o-{α-(2,4-di-t-acylphenoxy)-β-methylbutane amido}phenyl]imidazole in the form of a paste. 
     SYNTHESIS 2 
     Synthesis of intermediate product of Compound 12 
     13.3 g of o-{α-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)-β-methylbutaneamido}-α-bromoacetophenone was suspended in 100 ml of acetonitryl, and 6.9 g of 3,5-dimethylpyrazole-1-carboxyamidine was added. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour at room temperature. After the solvent was removed, the residue was extracted with ethyl acetate, and processed with silica gel column to obtain 3.3 g of the intermediate product of Compound 12 in the form of amolphous. 
     SYNTHESIS 3 
     Synthesis of Compound 12 
     3 g of the compound synthesized in the synthesis 1 was dissolved in 100 ml of chloroform, and 1 g of chlorosuccinimido (NCS) was added. The mixture was stirred for 15 hours at room temperature. After the solvent was removed, ethyl acetate and water were added to wash the residue, and the remaining organic layer was then dried with magnesium sulfate. After the solvent was removed, hexane was added to the residue to solidify the residue. The solidified residue was then purified with silica gel column to obtain 2.2 g of Compound 12. 
     SYNTHESIS 4 
     Synthesis of Compound 51 
     9.5 g of o-{α-(2,4di-t-amylphenoxy)hexanemamide}-α-bromoacetophenone was dissolved in 50 ml of chloroform, and 6 g of acetoamidine was added. The mixture was subjected to heat at 45° C. for 3 hours. After the solvent was removed, the residue was dissolved in 20 ml of acetonitryl. Then 1 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid was dropped into the mixture to precipitate 1.4 g of solidified Compound 51. 
     SYNTHESIS 5 
     Synthesis of: 2-(4-chloro-3,5-dimethyl pyrazolyl)-4-[o-{α-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)-β-methylbutaneamido}phenyl]-5-chloroimidazole (Synthesis of Compound 60) ##STR256## 
     Synthesis of intermediate product B 
     25 g of o-aminoacetophenone was dissolved in 200 ml of ethyl acetate, and 15.36 g of pyridine was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature. A solution was formed by dissolving 66.6 g of 2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy-˜-chloride methylbutanate in 120 ml of ethyl acetate, and added to the mixture in drops over a period of 15 minutes. Then the solution with the mixture was stirred for 1 hour to create a reaction, and then washed with water to a degree where the pH value of the solution in reaction was between 6 to 7. After the solvent was removed under reduced environmental pressure to obtain an oily residue, and 350 ml of methanol was added to crystallize 54.2 g of the intermediate product B. 
     Synthesis of intermediate product C 
     47.1 g of the intermediate product B was dissolved in 240 ml of chloroform, and heated at 60° C. After that, 16.8 g of bromine was added in drops to the mixture over a time of 1 hour. After it was left standing for 3 hours, the solvent was removed under reduced environmental pressure to recrystallize and separate 37.2 g of the intermediate product C from the methanol. 
     Synthesis of intermediate product D 
     30.4 g of the intermediate product C was dissolved in 140 ml of chloroform, and 19.8 g of 3,5-dimethylpyrazole-1-carboxyamidine was added. The mixture was refluxed for 10 hours at a high temperature. After the formed solid object was filtered, the solvent was removed under reduced environmental pressure. 100 ml of acetonitryl was added to the residue to precipitate 13.8 g of the intermediate product D in the form of crystals. 
     Synthesis of example compound 60 
     13.8 g of the intermediate product D was dissolved in 80 ml of ethyl acetate, and 7.4 g of N-chlorosccinimide was added. The mixture was stirred for 24 hours at room temperature to create a reaction, and then washed with water and dehydrated with magnesium sulfate. After the dehydration, the solvent was removed by distillation, the residue was dried with magnesium sulfate. 60 ml of acetonitryl was then added to the residue to precipitate 10.4 g of the example compound 60 in the form of crystals. 
     In the above syntheses, the structure of each product was observed with NMR and MASS spectrums. 
     A coupler of the present invention may be used generally in the amount of 2×10 -3  to 8×10 -1  mol per mol silver halide, preferably in the amount of 1×10 -2  to 5×10 -1  mol per mol silver halide. 
     A coupler of the present invention can be used in combination, or together with another type of cyan coupler. 
     A coupler of the present invention can be incorporated into a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material by means of any of the methods of solid body dispersion, latex dispersion, o/w emulsion dispersion, etc. For example, the o/w emulsion dispersion method can be performed according to the following procedures. Generally, a hydrophobic additive such as a coupler is dissolved in a high boiling organic solvent with a boiling point of over 150° C. such as trichlesylphosphate, dibutylphtalete and, if necessary, together with an organic solvent having a low boiling point and/or water solubility such as ethyl acetate and butyl propionate. Then, the above mixture is emulsified by means of a surface active agent and dispersed in a water soluble binder such as gelatin water solution to be incorporated to the target hydrophilic colloid layer. 
     A silver halide photographic light-sensitive material of the present invention can be used as a color negative film, a color positive film, a color reversal film, a color print paper, etc., and is quite effective particularly when adopted for color print paper that is subjected directly to visual appreciation. 
     A silver halide photographic light-sensitive material of the invention, typified by a color print paper, has a multi-layer construction as follows in order to enable the subtractive color reproducing process. The multi-layer construction comprises a support; and an arbitrary number and in order of green-sensitive, red-sensitive, and blue-sensitive emulsion layers, which are provided on the support and respectively contain photographic couplers, i.e. a magenta coupler, a cyan coupler, and a yellow coupler of the present invention; and non-light-sensitive layers provided on the support. The number and order of the layers are arbitrarily changed based on important performance criteria and the requirement of usage of the light-sensitive material. 
     Preferable as a silver halide to be employed in a silver halide emulsion of the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material of the present invention is an arbitrary one of those generally used in a silver halide emulsion such as silver bromide, silver iodo-bromide, silver iodo-chloride, silver chloro-bromide, silver chloride, etc. 
     The silver halide emulsion is chemically sensitized with sulfur sensitizer, selenium sensitizer, reducing sensitizer, noble metal sensitizer, or the like. The emulsion can also be spectrally sensitized to an intended spectral region with a relevant sensitization dye that is known in the photographic industry. 
     The silver halide photographic light-sensitive material of this invention may arbitrarily contain an anti-color foggant, hardner, plasticizer, polymer latex, ultraviolet absorbent, formaline scavenger, mordant, development accelerator, development retardant, fluorescent whitening agent, matting agent, lubricant, anti-electrostatic agent, surface active agent, or the like. 
     The present invention may include any arbitrary processes such as color development, bleaching, fixing or bleach-fixing, stabilizing, washing, and stopping, which are popular in the photographic industry. 
     Since containing the novel cyan coupler, the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material of the invention exhibits excellent spectrum absorption characteristic of the cyan dye, i.e. sharp boundary on the shorter wavelength side. Therefore, a reduced amount of irregular absorption in the green and blue regions can be achieved, exhibiting excellent color reproducibility. Furthermore, since the optical density of the cyan dye is high, i.e. the cyan coupler of the invention has high color formablility, further improvement of sharpness is permitted by adopting thin layers, etc. 
     The cyan coupler of the invention is further advantageous in providing the dye to be developed with color fastness, and particularly excellent resistivity to heat and humidity, which enables provision of a photo-sensitive material exhibiting good storing stability. 
     EXAMPLES 
     The following discusses examples of the present invention, however, the scope of the invention is not limited to the examples. 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     (Preparation of silver halide emulsion) 
     Three sorts of silver halide emulsions, as shown in Table 1, were prepared in accordance with the methods of neutral and double jet mixing. 
     
                       TABLE 1                                                     
______________________________________                                    
                                         Spec-                            
                                         tral                             
Emul-                 Average            sensiti-                         
sion  AgCl    AgBr    grain              zing                             
No.   %       %       size μm                                          
                             Chemical sensitizer                          
                                         dye                              
______________________________________                                    
Em-1  99.5    0.5     0.67   Sodium thiosulfate                           
                                         SD-1*.sup.3                      
Em-2  99.5    0.5     0.46   Chloroauric acid*.sup.1                      
                                         SD-2*.sup.4                      
Em-3  99.5    0.5     0.43   Sodium thiosulfate*.sup.4                    
                                         SD-3*.sup.5                      
Em-4  10      90      0.67   --          SD-1*.sup.3                      
Em-5  30      70      0.46   Sodium thiosulfate                           
                                         SD-2*.sup.4                      
Em-6  30      70      0.43   Chloroauric acid*.sup.1                      
                                         SD-3*.sup.5                      
______________________________________                                    
 *.sup.1 Incorporation amount was 2 mg per mol silver halide.             
 *.sup.2 Incorporation amount was 5 × 10.sup.-5 mol per mol silver  
 halide.                                                                  
 *.sup.3 Incorporation amount was 0.9 mmol per mol silver halide.         
 *.sup.4 Incorporation amount was 0.7 mmol per mol silver halide.         
 *.sup.5 Incorporation amount was 0.2 mmol per mol silver halide.         
 
    
     Each of the silver halide emulsions was chemically sensitized, and then 5×10 -3  mol of STB-1 per mol silver halide was added. The formula of STB-1, adopted as emulsion stabilizer, is shown hereinbelow. ##STR257## 
     (Preparation of a sample of a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material) 
     The following layers 1 through 7 were then successively (simultaneously) layered on a paper support whose both surfaces were previously coated with polyethylene to thereby prepare silver halide color photographic light-sensitive materials 1 through 12. In the following examples, the listed amount of each added substance is the corresponding amount per 1 m 2  on a photosensitive material. 
     Layer 1: A layer containing 1.2 g of gelatin, 0.29 g (reduced mass of silver, this arrangement is applicable hereinunder) of blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion (Em-1), and 0.3 g of dinonylphthalate (DNP) dissolving therein 0.75 g of yellow coupler (Y-1) mentioned hereinbelow, 0.3 g of image stabilizer ST-1, and 0.015 g of 2,5-dioctylhydroquinone (HQ-1). 
     Layer 2: A layer containing 0.9 g of gelatin and 0.2 g of dioctylphthalate (DOP) dissolving therein 0.04 g of HQ-1. 
     Layer 3: A layer containing 1.4 g of gelatin, 0.2 g of green-sensitive silver halide emulsion (Em-2), 0.3 g of DOP dissolving therein 0.5 g of magenta coupler (M-1), 0.25 g of image stabilizer (ST-2), and 0.01 g of HQ-1; and filtering dye (AI-1) mentioned hereinbelow. 
     Layer 4: A layer containing 1.2 g of gelatin, and 0.3 g of DNP dissolving therein 0.6 g of ultraviolet absorbent (UV-1) mentioned hereinbelow, and 0.05 g of HQ-1. 
     Layer 5: A layer containing 1.4 g of gelatin, 0.20 g of red-sensitive silver halide emulsion (Em-3), and 0.3 g of DOP dissolving therein 0.7 mmol of cyan coupler listed in Table 2, and 0.01 g of HQ-1. It is noted that the amount of Comparative coupler CC-1 is 0.9 mmol. 
     Layer 6: A layer containing 1.1 g of gelatin and 5 mg of filtering dye (AI-2) mentioned hereinbelow, and 0.2 g of DOP dissolving therein 0.2 g of UV-1. 
     Layer 7: A layer containing 1.0 g of gelatin and 0.05 g of sodium, 2,4-dichloro-6-hydroxytriazine. ##STR258## 
     The so-obtained samples were subjected to exposure to red light through an optical wedge using an sensitometer (KS-7 produced by Konica Corporation), and then subjected to color developing in accordance with the processes as described below. Subsequently, the maximum density (Dmax) of the red-sensitive emulsion layer of each of the samples was measured using an optical densitometer (PDA-65 produced by Konica Corporation). 
     On the other hand, a color checker (Macbeth) was photographed onto a Konica color GX100 (Konica Corporation), and the film was subjected to developing. Then, the negative image of the Macbeth color checker was printed onto each of Samples 1 through 12 and 37 through 41 mentioned above so as to adjust the tone of the gray areas, thereby hues on each print were evaluated of the color reproducibility. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2. 
     
         ______________________________________                                    
 [Treatment procedure]                                                    
                 Temperature Time                                         
______________________________________                                    
developing       34.7 ± 0.3° C.                                 
                             45 sec.                                      
Bleach-fixing    34.7 ± 0.5° C.                                 
                             45 sec.                                      
Stabilizing      30 to 34° C.                                      
                             90 sec.                                      
Drying           60 to 80° C.                                      
                             60 sec.                                      
Color-developer                                                           
Water                      800    ml                                      
Triethanolamine            8      g                                       
N, N-diethylhydroxylamine  5      g                                       
Potassium chloride         2      g                                       
N-ethyl-N-˜ -methanesulfonamidoethyl-3-methyl-                      
                           5      g                                       
4-aminoaniline sulfate                                                    
Sodium tetrapolyphosphate  2      g                                       
Potassium carbonate        30     g                                       
Potassium sulfite          0.2    g                                       
Optical brightening agent (4,4&#39; -                                         
                           1      g                                       
diaminostylbenzisulfone derivative)                                       
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     Water was added to prepare a one liter solution, that was adjusted to pH=10.2. 
     
         ______________________________________                                    
[Bleach-fixer]                                                            
______________________________________                                    
Ferric ammonium ethylenediaminetetraacetate                               
                           60     g                                       
dihydrate                                                                 
Ethylenediaminetetraacetate                                               
                           3      g                                       
Ammonium thiosulfate (70% solution)                                       
                           100    ml                                      
Ammonium sulfite (40% solution)                                           
                           27.5   ml                                      
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     Water was added to prepare a one liter solution, that was adjusted to pH=5.7 with potassium carbonate or glacial acetic acid. 
     
         ______________________________________                                    
[Stabilizer]                                                              
______________________________________                                    
5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazoline-3-one                                   
                          1     g                                         
1-hydroxyethylenedene-1, 1-diphosphate                                    
                          2     g                                         
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     Water was added to prepare a one liter solution, that was adjusted to pH=7.0 with sulfuric acid or potassium hydroxide. 
     
                                           TABLE 2                                 
__________________________________________________________________________
                  Maximum                                                 
                        Color reproducibility                             
Sample No. Coupler                                                        
                  density                                                 
                        Green                                             
                            Red                                           
                               Magenta                                    
                                    Cyan                                  
__________________________________________________________________________
1 (Comparative)                                                           
           CC-1   1.90  N.G.                                              
                            P  P    P                                     
2 (Invention)                                                             
           Example 3                                                      
                  2.20  G   G  G    G                                     
3 (Invention)                                                             
           Example 12                                                     
                  2.15  G   G  G    G                                     
4 (Invention)                                                             
           Example 59                                                     
                  2.13  G   G  G    G                                     
5 (Invention)                                                             
           Example 60                                                     
                  2.32  G   G  G    G                                     
6 (Invention)                                                             
           Example 58                                                     
                  2.12  G   G  G    G                                     
7 (Invention)                                                             
           Example 51                                                     
                  2.10  G   G  G    G                                     
8 (Invention)                                                             
           Example 66                                                     
                  2.16  G   G  G    G                                     
9 (Invention)                                                             
           Example 68                                                     
                  2.13  G   G  G    G                                     
10                                                                        
  (Invention)                                                             
           Example 72                                                     
                  2.21  G   G  G    G                                     
11                                                                        
  (Invention)                                                             
           Example 74                                                     
                  2.23  G   G  G    G                                     
12                                                                        
  (Invention)                                                             
           Example 90                                                     
                  2.25  G   G  G    G                                     
37                                                                        
  (Invention)                                                             
           Example 112                                                    
                  2.01  G   G  G    G                                     
38                                                                        
  (Invention)                                                             
           Example 115                                                    
                  1.95  G   G  G    G                                     
39                                                                        
  (Invention)                                                             
           Example 117                                                    
                  1.92  G   G  G    G                                     
40                                                                        
  (Invention)                                                             
           Example 124                                                    
                  1.94  G   G  G    G                                     
41                                                                        
  (Invention)                                                             
           Example 125                                                    
                  1.92  G   G  G    G                                     
__________________________________________________________________________
 
    
     The color reproducibility is evaluated in three grades. 
     G: Color reproducibility (hue, saturation) is good 
     P: Color reproducibility (hue, saturation) is poor 
     MG: Color reproducibility (hue, saturation) is not good ##STR259## 
     As is obvious from the results shown in Table 2, each of Samples 2 through 12 of the present invention adopting cyan couplers containing imidazole exhibits improved color reproducibility in hues of green, red, magenta, and cyan in contrast to Comparative Example 1 employing a cyan coupler irrelative to the invention. Above all, the brightness of green is made higher so that it approaches that of the original color of green. 
     Furthermore, it is observed that each sample of the present invention exhibits high maximum density in the red-sensitive layer while proving excellent color formation efficiency. 
     Samples 1 through 12 were, after being subjected to exposure through an optical wedge and color developing, stored in a dark place at 77° C. or in a dark place at 60° C. and 80% RH (Relative Humidity) for 10 days to undergo a forced degradation test. After the test, the density of cyan dye located at a point of 1.0 in density (remaining rate of dye) was measured to evaluate the resistivity of each sample to heat and humidity. The results of the test are as shown in Table 3. 
     
                       TABLE 3                                                     
______________________________________                                    
                 Remaining rate of dye (%)                                
Sample No.  Coupler    77° C.                                      
                                 60° C., 80% RH                    
______________________________________                                    
 1 (Comparative)                                                          
            CC-1       90        95                                       
 2 (Invention)                                                            
            Example 3  92        94                                       
 3 (Invention)                                                            
            Example 12 93        95                                       
 4 (Invention)                                                            
            Example 59 90        93                                       
 5 (Invention)                                                            
            Example 60 93        96                                       
 6 (Invention)                                                            
            Example 58 91        94                                       
 7 (Invention)                                                            
            Example 51 90        93                                       
 8 (Invention)                                                            
            Example 66 92        98                                       
 9 (Invention)                                                            
            Example 68 95        98                                       
10 (Invention)                                                            
            Example 72 93        95                                       
11 (Invention)                                                            
            Example 74 94        96                                       
12 (Invention)                                                            
            Example 70 94        96                                       
37 (Invention)                                                            
            Example 112                                                   
                       90        93                                       
38 (Invention)                                                            
            Example 115                                                   
                       91        90                                       
39 (Invention)                                                            
            Example 117                                                   
                       93        96                                       
40 (Invention)                                                            
            Example 124                                                   
                       90        91                                       
41 (Invention)                                                            
            Example 125                                                   
                       90        90                                       
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     As is obvious from the results shown in Table 3, each sample adopting a coupler of the present invention exhibits greater resistivity to heat and humidity in contrast to the comparative example. 
     EXAMPLE 2 
     Silver halide color photosensitive material samples 13 through 24 were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the blue-sensitive emulsion of 1st layer, the green-sensitive emulsion of the 3rd layer and the red-sensitive emulsion of the 5th layer were replaced by, Em-4, Em-5, Em-6 in Table 1. 
     The so-obtained samples were subjected to exposure through an optical wedge using an sensitometer (KS-7 produced by Konica Corporation), and then subjected to color developing in accordance with the processes as described below. Subsequently, the same measurements as in Example 1 were carried out. 
     The measurement results are shown in Table 4. 
     
         ______________________________________                                    
Treatment procedure                                                       
______________________________________                                    
Color developing                                                          
              3 min. and 30 sec.                                          
                            Temp.: 33° C.                          
Bleach-fixing 1 min. and 30 sec.                                          
                            Temp.: 33° C.                          
Washing       3 min.        Temp.: 33° C.                          
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
         ______________________________________                                    
Prescription for color developing solution                                
______________________________________                                    
N-ethyl-N-β-methanesulfonamidoethyl-3-methyl-4-                      
                           4.9    g                                       
aminoaniline sulfate                                                      
Hydroxyamine sulfate       2.0    g                                       
Potassium carbonate        25.0   g                                       
Potassium bromide          0.6    g                                       
Sodium sulfite anhydride   2.0    g                                       
Benzyl alcohol             13     ml                                      
Polyethylene glycol        3.0    ml                                      
(Average degree of polymerization: 400)                                   
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     Water was added to prepare a one liter solution, that was adjusted to pH=10.0 with sodium hydroxide. 
     
         ______________________________________                                    
Prescription for bleach-fixer                                             
______________________________________                                    
Ferric sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate                                 
                          6      g                                        
Ammonium thiosulfate      100    g                                        
Sodium bisulfite          10     g                                        
Sodium metabisulfite      3      g                                        
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     Water was added to prepare a one liter solution, that was adjusted to pH=7.0 with aqueous ammonia. 
     
                                           TABLE 4                                 
__________________________________________________________________________
                  Maximum                                                 
                        Color reproducibility                             
Sample No. Coupler                                                        
                  density                                                 
                        Green                                             
                            Red                                           
                               Magenta                                    
                                    Cyan                                  
__________________________________________________________________________
13                                                                        
  (Comparative)                                                           
           CC-1   2.33  N.G P  P    P                                     
14                                                                        
  (Invention)                                                             
           Example 3                                                      
                  2.51  G   G  G    G                                     
15                                                                        
  (Invention)                                                             
           Example 12                                                     
                  2.46  G   G  G    G                                     
16                                                                        
  (Invention)                                                             
           Example 59                                                     
                  2.43  G   G  G    G                                     
17                                                                        
  (Invention)                                                             
           Example 60                                                     
                  2.67  G   G  G    G                                     
18                                                                        
  (Invention)                                                             
           Example 58                                                     
                  2.41  G   G  G    G                                     
19                                                                        
  (Invention)                                                             
           Example 51                                                     
                  2.40  G   G  G    G                                     
20                                                                        
  (Invention)                                                             
           Example 66                                                     
                  2.49  G   G  G    G                                     
21                                                                        
  (Invention)                                                             
           Example 68                                                     
                  2.46  G   G  G    G                                     
22                                                                        
  (Invention)                                                             
           Example 72                                                     
                  2.57  G   G  G    G                                     
23                                                                        
  (Invention)                                                             
           Example 74                                                     
                  2.59  G   G  G    G                                     
24                                                                        
  (Invention)                                                             
           Example 90                                                     
                  2.61  G   G  G    G                                     
__________________________________________________________________________
 
    
     Evaluation of the color reproducibility is expressed in the same way as in Table 2. 
     As is obvious from the results shown in Table 4, even when the state of emulsion and the treatment condition is changed, the samples of the invention exhibit high color densities in the red-sensitive layers, proving that they are excellent in color formation efficiency. 
     Furthermore, the samples also exhibit improved color reproducibility in hues of green, red, magenta, and cyan in the same way as Samples 2 through 12 in Example 1. 
     EXAMPLE 3 
     After undergoing back unit-static treatment, a triacetyl cellulose film support undercoated with maleic acid anhydride and vinyl acetate copolymer for subbing purpose was provided thereon with the layers of the following compositions in order to prepare Sample 25. The listed amount of each substance added is per mol silver halide unless otherwise specified. 
     
         ______________________________________                                    
Unit-static treatment                                                     
1st backing layer: Stearic acid                                           
                   20            mg/m.sup.2                               
Diacetyl cellulose 10            mg/m.sup.2                               
Almina sol         1             g/m.sup.2                                
2nd backing layer: Diacetyl                                               
                   50            mg/m.sup.2                               
cellulose                                                                 
Stearic acid       10            mg/m.sup.2                               
Silica matting agent                                                      
                   50            mg/m.sup.2                               
(average grain size: 3 μm)                                             
On the support                                                            
1st layer: anti-halation layer                                            
Ultraviolet absorbent-2                                                   
                   0.3           g/m.sup.2                                
Ultraviolet absorbent-3                                                   
                   0.4           g/m.sup.2                                
Black collodial silver                                                    
                   0.24          g/m.sup.2                                
Gelatin            2.7           g/m.sup.2                                
2nd layer: intermediate layer                                             
2,5-di-t-octylhydroquinone                                                
                   0.1           g/m.sup.2                                
Gelatin            1.0           g/m.sup.2                                
3rd layer: low speed red-sensitive                                        
silver halide emulsion layer                                              
Average grain size: 0.35 μm                                            
Monodispersed emulsion                                                    
(Emulsion I)                                                              
comprising AgBrI                                                          
containing 2.5 mol % of AgI                                               
                   (silver amount: 0.5                                    
                                 g/m.sup.2)                               
Sensitizing dye-4  7.6 × 10.sup.-4                                  
                                 mol                                      
Coupler CC-2       0.1           mol                                      
Gelatin            0.9           g/m.sup.2                                
4th layer: high speed red-sensitive                                       
silver halide emulsion layer                                              
Average grain size: .075 μm                                            
Monodispersed emulsion                                                    
(Emulsion II)                                                             
comprising AgBrI                                                          
containing 2.5 mol % of AgI                                               
                   (silver amount: 0.8                                    
                                 g/m.sup.2)                               
Sensitizing dye-4  3.2 × 10.sup.-4                                  
                                 mol                                      
Coupler CC-2       0.2           mol                                      
Gelatin            1.75          g/m.sup.2                                
5th layer: intermediate layer                                             
2,5-di-t-octylhydroquinone                                                
                   1.1           g/m.sup.2                                
Gelatin            0.9           g/m.sup.2                                
6th layer: low speed green-sensitive                                      
silver halide emulsion layer                                              
Emulsion I         (silver amount: 1.0                                    
                                 g/m.sup.2)                               
Sensitizing dye-5  6.6 × 10.sup.-4                                  
                                 mol                                      
Sensitizing dye-6  0.6 × 10.sup.-4                                  
                                 mol                                      
Coupler M-2        0.05          mol                                      
Gelatin            0.8           g/m.sup.2                                
7th layer: high speed green-                                              
sensitive silver halide emulsion                                          
layer                                                                     
Emulsion II        (silver amount: 1.0                                    
                                 g/m.sup.2)                               
Sensitizing dye-5  2.76 × 10.sup.-4                                 
                                 mol                                      
Sensitizing dye-6  0.23 × 10.sup.-4                                 
                                 mol                                      
Coupler M-2        0.15          mol                                      
Gelatin            1.5           g/m.sup.2                                
8th layer: intermediate layer                                             
Same as 5th layer                                                         
9th layer: yellow filter layer                                            
Yellow colloidal silver                                                   
                   0.1           g/m.sup.2                                
Gelatin            0.9           g/m.sup.2                                
2,5-di-t-octylhydroquinone                                                
                   0.1           g/m.sup.2                                
10th layer: low speed blue-sensitive                                      
silver halide emulsion layer                                              
Average grain size: 0.6 μm                                             
Monodispersed emulsion                                                    
(Emulsion II)                                                             
comprising AgBrI                                                          
containing 2.5 mol % of AgI                                               
                   (silver amount: 0.4                                    
                                 g/m.sup.2)                               
Sensitizing dye-7  2.65 × 10.sup.-4                                 
                                 mol                                      
Coupler Y-2        0.3           mol                                      
Gelatin            1.3           g/m.sup.2                                
11th layer: high speed blue-sensitive                                     
silver halide emulsion layer                                              
Average grain size: 1.0 μm                                             
Monodispersed emulsion                                                    
(Emulsion IV)                                                             
comprising AgBrI                                                          
containing 2.5 mol % of AgI                                               
                   (silver amount: 0.8                                    
                                 g/m.sup.2)                               
Sensitizing dye-7  1.59 × 10.sup.-4                                 
                                 mol                                      
Coupler Y-2        0.3           mol                                      
Gelatin            2.1           g/m.sup.2                                
12th layer: 1st protective layer                                          
Ultraviolet absorbent-2,                                                  
                   0.3           g/m.sup.2                                
Ultraviolet absorbent-3,                                                  
                   0.4           g/m.sup.2                                
Gelatin            1.2           g/m.sup.2                                
2,5-di-t-octylhydroquinone                                                
                   0.1           g/m.sup.2                                
13th layer: 2nd protective layer                                          
Substantially non-light-sensitive fine                                    
grain silver halide emulsion layer                                        
comprising AgBrI                                                          
containing 1 mol % of AgI                                                 
of average                                                                
grain size of 0.06 μm                                                  
                   (silver amount: 0.3                                    
                                 g/m.sup.2)                               
Polyethyl methacrylate grains (size: 1.5 μm)                           
Gelatin            0.7           g/m.sup.2                                
Surface active agent-1                                                    
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     Each of the above layers incorporated gelatin hardening agent-1 and surface active agent. Meanwhile, tricresylphosphate was used as solvent for the couplers. 
     Each of the emulsions is monodispersed emulsion having octahedral grains which were formed by dispersing seeds for emulsification (average content of silver iodide is 2 mol%) having the grain size of 0.095 μm or 0.25 μm at 45° C. in the presence of ammonium according to a double-jet method while controlling pAg and pH. The content of silver iodide in each core, intermediate layer and shell was controlled by changing the composition of the silver halide to be added. 
     Growth of the core/shell type silver halide emulsion was performed according to the methods disclosed in Japanese Patent O.P.I. Publication Nos. 59-52238, 60-138538, 58-49938, and 60-122935. 
     (Compounds used for preparing the samples) ##STR260## 
     Then Samples 26 through 36 were prepared in the same manner as Sample 25 except that the coupler CC-2 in the third and fourth layers was replaced with a coupler of the present invention. 
     Color Checker (Macbeth) was photographed on Samples 25 through 36 and the samples were subjected to the color developing process as follows. 
     
         ______________________________________                                    
Process      Time (minutes) Temperature                                   
______________________________________                                    
First developing                                                          
             6              38° C. (±0.3)                       
Washing      2              38° C. (±0.3)                       
Reversal     2              38° C. (±0.3)                       
Color developing                                                          
             6              38° C. (±0.3)                       
Conditioning 2              38° C. (±0.3)                       
Bleaching    6              38° C. (±0.3)                       
Fixing       4              38° C. (±0.3)                       
Washing      4              38° C. (±0.3)                       
Stabilizing  1              room temp.                                    
Drying                                                                    
______________________________________                                    
First developer                                                           
Sodium tetrapolyphosphate 2      g                                        
Sodium sulfite            20     g                                        
Hydroquinone monosulfonic acid                                            
                          30     g                                        
Sodium carbonate (monohydrate)                                            
                          30     g                                        
1-phenyl-4-methyl-4-hydroxymethyl-3-                                      
                          2      g                                        
pyrazolidone                                                              
Potassium bromide         2.5    g                                        
Potassium thiocyanate     1.2    g                                        
Potassium iodide (0.1% aqueous solution)                                  
                          2      m                                        
Water to make             1000   ml                                       
Reversal solution                                                         
Hexasodium nitrilotrimethylenephosphate                                   
                          3      g                                        
Stanous chloride (dihydrate)                                              
                          1      g                                        
P-aminophenol             0.1    g                                        
Sodium hydroxide          8      g                                        
Glacial acetic acid       15     ml                                       
Water to make             1000   ml                                       
Color developer                                                           
Sodium tetrapolyphosphate 2      g                                        
Sodium sulfite            7      g                                        
Sodium tertiary phosphate (dihydrate)                                     
                          36     g                                        
Potassium bromide         1      g                                        
Potassium iodide (0.1% aqueous solution) 90 ml                            
                          3      g                                        
Sodium hydroxide                                                          
Citrazinic acid           1.5    g                                        
N-methyl-N-(β-methanesulfonamidoethyl)-3-                            
                          11     g                                        
methyl-4-aminoaniline sulfate                                             
Ethylenediamine           3      g                                        
Water to make             1000   ml                                       
Conditioning solution                                                     
Sodium sulfite            12     g                                        
Sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate                                        
                          8      g                                        
(dihydrate)                                                               
Thioglycerol              0.4    ml                                       
Glacial acetic acid       3      ml                                       
Water to make             1000   ml                                       
Bleaching solution                                                        
Sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate                                        
                          2.0    g                                        
(dihydrate)                                                               
Ferric ammonium ethylenediaminetetraacetate                               
                          120.0  g                                        
(dihydrate)                                                               
Potassium bromide         100.0  g                                        
Water to make             1.0    l                                        
Fixing solution                                                           
Ammonium thiosulfate      80.0   g                                        
Sodium sulfite            5.0    g                                        
Sodium bisulfite          5.0    g                                        
Water to make             1.0    l                                        
Stabilizer                                                                
Formaline (37 wt %)       5.0    ml                                       
Konidax (Konica Corporation)                                              
                          5.0    ml                                       
Water to make             1.0    l                                        
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     Evaluation results of the above samples with regard to color reproducibility in each hue are shown in Table 5. 
     
                       TABLE 5                                                     
______________________________________                                    
               Color reproducibility                                      
Sample No. Coupler   Green   Red  Magenta                                 
                                         Cyan                             
______________________________________                                    
25 (Comparative)                                                          
           CC-2      N.G     P    P      P                                
26 (Invention)                                                            
           Example 3 G       G    G      G                                
27 (Invention)                                                            
           Example 12                                                     
                     G       G    G      G                                
28 (Invention)                                                            
           Example 59                                                     
                     G       G    G      G                                
29 (Invention)                                                            
           Example 60                                                     
                     G       G    G      G                                
30 (Invention)                                                            
           Example 58                                                     
                     G       G    G      G                                
31 (Invention)                                                            
           Example 53                                                     
                     G       G    G      G                                
32 (Invention)                                                            
           Example 66                                                     
                     G       G    G      G                                
33 (Invention)                                                            
           Example 68                                                     
                     G       G    G      G                                
34 (Invention)                                                            
           Example 72                                                     
                     G       G    G      G                                
35 (Invention)                                                            
           Example 74                                                     
                     G       G    G      G                                
36 (Invention)                                                            
           Example 90                                                     
                     G       G    G      G                                
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     Evaluation of color reproducibility were carried out as in Table 2. 
     In Table 5, each of Samples 26 through 36 adopting cyan couplers of the invention including imidazole exhibits great improvement of color reproducibility in hues of green, red, magenta, and cyan in contrast to Comparative Example 25 employing a cyan coupler different from that of the invention. Above all, the brightness of green is made higher so that approaches that of the original color of green. 
     On the other hand, Sample 27 composed of a support provided thereon with solely the third layer of Sample 25, and Sample 38 of the same composition as Sample 37 (except that the coupler CC-2 is changed to the compound 60 of the invention) were prepared, then exposed through an optical wedge, and then treated in accordance with the aforesaid color developing process. The spectral transmittances of each of the samples were measured with an automatic recording color spectrum photometer type 320 (HITACHI). The measurement results are as shown in FIG. 1. 
     As obvious from FIG. 1, Sample 38 of the present invention exhibits a reduced amount of color absorption in the blue region at a wavelength of approx. 400 nm, and shows sharp boundary in the green region at a wavelength of approx. 500 to 600 nm. The reduction in the absorption amount of unnecessary light of blue and green is also apparent in the multi-layered Samples 26 through 36.