JPH06122829A - Pyridone azo dye and heat-sensitive transfer sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Object] To provide a yellow dye having excellent light resistance and transferability, which is suitable for heat-sensitive transfer, and a heat-sensitive transfer sheet using the dye. [Structure] General formula (I) (Wherein, X is C ₂ - shows a ₁₀ perfluoroalkyl radical, R
Is a hydrogen atom, a (substituted) alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group,
A heat-sensitive transfer sheet having a pyridone azo dye represented by an allyl group or a (substituted) phenyl group and a coloring material layer containing the dye.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a novel pyridone azo dye containing a perfluoroalkyl group, and a heat-sensitive transfer recording using the dye, particularly a sublimation-type heat-sensitive transfer recording.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, color recording techniques such as an electrophotographic system, an inkjet system, and a thermal transfer system have been studied for facsimiles, copying machines, printers and the like. The thermal transfer recording system is easy to maintain and operate,
Since the device and consumables are inexpensive, it is considered to be advantageous as compared with other methods.

The heat-sensitive transfer method is a melting method in which a transfer sheet having a heat-fusible ink layer formed on a base film is heated by a thermal head to melt the ink and transfer-record it on an image receptor. A transfer sheet on which a color material layer containing a sublimable dye is formed on a base film is heated by a thermal head to transfer the dye from the transfer sheet to the image receptor by sublimation and / or thermal diffusion, and then transferred onto the image receptor. There is a sublimation method for recording, but the sublimation method can control the amount of dye transfer by changing the energy applied to the thermal head, which facilitates gradation recording and is particularly advantageous for full-color recording.

In the sublimation type thermal transfer recording, the sublimable dye used in the transfer sheet and the ink composition for the transfer sheet has a great influence on the speed of the transfer recording, the image quality of the recorded matter, the storage stability, etc. Is important to
It is necessary to satisfy the following conditions. Easy sublimation and / or heat diffusion under the operating conditions of the thermal recording head. Do not decompose under the operating conditions of the thermal recording head. It should have a favorable hue for color reproduction. Large molecular extinction coefficient. Stable against heat, light, moisture, chemicals, etc. Easy to synthesize. Excellent ink suitability. There are no safety and health problems.

A dye satisfying all of the above conditions has not been found so far, and a yellow dye, in particular, has various drawbacks and a satisfactory dye has not yet been found. As a yellow dye, a pyridone-based monoazo dye having the same basic skeleton as the dye used in the present invention is conventionally excellent as a dye for sublimation type thermal transfer recording. JP-A-61-244595, JP-A-61-244595 It is shown in JP-A-60-27594 and JP-A-62-290583. However, the dyes shown therein do not yet have sufficient performance.

Therefore, as a result of a more detailed study of the pyridone azo dye, the inventors have introduced a perfluoroalkyl group at the ortho position of the benzene ring bonded to the azo group, thereby making it more sensitive and light resistant than conventional products. The present invention has been achieved by finding that good performance with good properties is exhibited.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a yellow dye satisfying all the above conditions and a heat-sensitive transfer sheet characterized by using the dye.

[0008]

The present invention is characterized in that it has a coloring material layer containing the pyridone azo dye represented by the general formula (I) and the pyridone azo dye represented by the general formula (I) described in claim 1. The heat-sensitive transfer sheet is Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.

The pyridone azo dye represented by the general formula (I) used in the present invention can be produced by a conventionally known method. That is, the following general formula (II)

[0010]

[Chemical 2]

An aniline represented by the formula (wherein X has the same meaning as in the general formula (I)) is diazotized by a conventional method to give the following general formula (III):

[0012]

[Chemical 3]

It can be obtained by coupling a pyridone represented by the formula (wherein R has the same meaning as in the general formula (I)) by a conventional method. The general formula (I
The method for synthesizing the anilines shown in I) will be described. The perfluoroalkyl group represented by X is, for example,
Orthoiodoaniline can be obtained by reacting perfluoroalkyl iodide with copper powder as a catalyst in a solvent such as dimethyl sulfoxide under heating.

The dye represented by the general formula (I) used in the present invention will be specifically described. In the formula, the alkyl group represented by R is a C1 to C8 linear or branched chain. Examples of the substituted alkyl group include hydroxy-substituted alkyl groups such as 2-hydroxyethyl group, 3-hydroxypropyl group, 4-hydroxybutyl group and 2-hydroxypropyl group; carboxymethyl group and 2-carboxyethyl group. Group, carboxy-substituted alkyl group such as 3-carboxypropyl group; 2-cyanoethyl group, cyano-substituted alkyl group such as cyanomethyl group; 2
-Amino-substituted alkyl group such as aminoethyl group; 2-chloroethyl group, 3-chloropropyl group, 2-chloropropyl group, halogen atom-substituted alkyl group such as 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl group; benzyl group, p Phenyl-substituted alkyl group such as -chlorobenzyl group and 2-phenylethyl group; 2-methoxyethyl group, 2-ethoxyethyl group, 2- (n) propoxyethyl group, 2- (iso) propoxyethyl group, 2- ( n) butoxyethyl group, 2-
(Iso) Butoxyethyl group, 2- (2-ethylhexyloxy) ethyl group, 3-methoxypropyl group, 4-methoxybutyl group, 2-methoxypropyl group and other alkoxy-substituted alkyl groups; 2- (2-methoxyethoxy) Ethyl group, 2- (2-ethoxyethoxy) ethyl group, 2-
(2- (n) propoxyethoxy) ethyl group, 2- (2
-(Iso) propoxyethoxy) ethyl group, 2- (2
-(N) butoxyethoxy) ethyl group, 2- (2- (i
so) butoxyethoxy) ethyl group, 2- {2- (2-
Alkoxyalkoxy substituted alkyl groups such as ethylhexyloxy) ethoxy} ethyl group; substituted alkyl groups such as allyloxyethyl group, 2-phenoxyethyl group, 2-benzyloxyethyl group; 2-acetyloxyethyl group, 2-propionyloxyethyl Group, 2- (n) butyryloxyethyl group, 2- (iso) butyryloxyethyl group, 2-trifluoroacetyloxyethyl group, and other acyloxy-substituted alkyl groups; methoxycarbonylmethyl group, ethoxycarbonylmethyl group, ( n) propoxycarbonylmethyl group, (iso) propoxycarbonylmethyl group, (n) butoxycarbonylmethyl group, (is
o) butoxycarbonylmethyl group, 2-ethylhexyloxycarbonylmethyl group, benzyloxycarbonylmethyl group, furfuryloxycarbonylmethyl group, tetrahydrofurfuryloxycarbonylmethyl group, 2-methoxycarbonylethyl group, 2-ethoxycarbonylethyl group, 2- (n) propoxycarbonylethyl group, 2
-(Iso) propoxycarbonylethyl group, 2-
Substitution of (n) butoxycarbonylethyl group, 2- (iso) butoxycarbonylethyl group, 2- (2-ethylhexyloxycarbonyl) ethyl group, 2-benzyloxycarbonylethyl group, 2-furfuryloxycarbonylethyl group, or the like. Unsubstituted alkoxycarbonyl-substituted alkyl group; 2-methoxycarbonyloxyethyl group, 2-ethoxycarbonyloxyethyl group, 2-
(N) propoxycarbonyloxyethyl group, 2- (i
so) propoxycarbonyloxyethyl group, 2-
(N) butoxycarbonyloxyethyl group, 2- (is
o) butoxycarbonyloxyethyl group, 2- (2-ethylhexyloxycarbonyloxy) ethyl group, 2-
A substituted or unsubstituted alkoxycarbonyloxy-substituted alkyl group such as a benzyloxycarbonyloxyethyl group or a 2-furfuryloxycarbonyloxyethyl group;
Examples thereof include heterocycle-substituted alkyl groups such as furfuryl group and tetrahydrofurfuryl group.

Examples of the cycloalkyl group represented by R include a cyclopentyl group and a cyclohexyl group. Furthermore, as the substituted phenyl group represented by R, those having a C1-C8 linear or branched alkyl group as a substituent, or a C1-C4 linear or branched alkoxy group are mentioned. Examples thereof include those having a halogen atom such as a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom and a bromine atom, and those having a nitro group, a cyano group, a trifluoromethyl group and the like.

Of the groups represented by R, particularly preferred are C1 to C8 linear or branched alkyl groups, C3 to C8 alkoxyalkyl groups, benzyl groups, and 2-phenylethyl groups. Examples include allyl groups.
Examples of the perfluoroalkyl group represented by X include a C2-C10 linear or branched perfluoroalkyl group.

Specific examples of the dye represented by the general formula (I) include those shown in Table 1.

[0018]

[Table 1]

[0019]

[Table 2]

[0020]

[Table 3]

[0021]

[Table 4]

When the coloring material layer containing the above dye is formed in the heat-sensitive transfer sheet of the present invention, the method is not particularly limited, and the dye is usually dissolved in a medium or in the form of fine particles together with a binder. An ink is prepared by dispersion, and the ink is applied onto a base film and dried to form a color material layer on the base film.

As the binder for preparing the ink, a binder having good heat resistance is used in order to prevent thermal fusion with the image receptor during transfer recording, and especially, the softening point and / or the heat distortion temperature is 10
It is preferably 0 ° C. or higher. Specifically, cellulosics,
Acrylic acid, starch-based water-soluble resin, acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polysulfone, AS resin, polyether sulfone,
Examples thereof include organic solvents such as polyvinyl butyral, polyester, ethyl cellulose, and acetyl cellulose, and water-soluble resins.

These may be resins which are appropriately selected depending on the solvent used as a medium for ink preparation and which can be dissolved or uniformly dispersed in the solvent. The amount of these resins used is
The range is 1 to 40% by weight, preferably 5 to 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the ink composition. As a medium for ink preparation, in addition to water, alcohols such as methyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol and isobutyl alcohol, methyl cellosolve, cellosolves such as ethyl cellosolve, aromatic compounds such as toluene, xylene and chlorobenzene, ethyl acetate, Butyl acetate and other esters, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone and other ketones, methylene chloride, chloroform, trichlorethylene and other chlorine-based solvents, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane and other ethers, N, N-dimethylformamide, N- Examples thereof include organic solvents such as methylpyrrolidone, and these may be used alone or in combination.

In the above ink, in addition to the above components, if necessary, organic or inorganic non-sublimable fine particles, dispersant, antistatic agent, antiblocking agent, defoaming agent, antioxidant, viscosity adjusting agent. , A release agent or the like can be added. As a base film for applying the ink for making the transfer sheet, condenser paper, thin paper such as glassine paper, polyester, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyimide, a film of good heat resistance plastic such as polyaramid is suitable. , Their thickness is 3 ~
A range of 50 μm can be mentioned.

Of the above base films, the polyethylene terephthalate film is particularly advantageous in consideration of mechanical strength, solvent resistance, economy and the like. However, in some cases, the polyethylene terephthalate film does not always have sufficient heat resistance, and the running performance of the thermal head is insufficient, so that heat resistance that includes a surfactant, heat-resistant particles with high lubricity, etc. on the opposite surface of the color material layer. By providing a layer of a functional resin, a thermal head having improved running properties can be used.

As a method for applying the ink to the base film, a reverse roll coater, a gravure coater,
It can be carried out by using a rod coater, an air doctor coater, etc., and the thickness of the ink coating layer is set to 0.
The coating may be applied in the range of 1 to 5 μm (Yuji Harasaki, Maki Shoten, 1979 “Coating method”).

[0028]

The action and effect of the present invention The pyridone azo dye represented by the general formula (I) used in the heat-sensitive transfer sheet of the present invention has a clear yellow color, so that color reproduction can be achieved by combining an appropriate cyan color and magenta color. It is suitable for obtaining full-color recording with good properties, and is easily sublimated and / or thermally diffused, and has a large molecular extinction coefficient, so a high-speed recording with high color density can be obtained without imposing a heavy burden on the thermal head. be able to. Furthermore, since it is stable against heat, light, moisture, chemicals, etc., it does not decompose during transfer recording,
The obtained record is also excellent in storability and particularly excellent in light resistance. Further, since the dye has good solubility in an organic solvent and dispersibility in water, it is easy to prepare a high-concentration ink which is uniformly dissolved or dispersed. It is possible to obtain a heat-sensitive transfer sheet which is uniformly applied in high concentration. Therefore, by using these heat-sensitive transfer sheets, it is possible to obtain a recording with good uniformity and color density.

Further, the heat-sensitive transfer sheet of the present invention can utilize not only a thermal head but also infrared rays, laser light, etc. as a heating means. In addition, the ink composition using the dye of the present invention is coated on a current-carrying film that generates heat when current is applied,
It can also be used as an electric heat transfer sheet.

[0030]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to examples, but the examples do not limit the present invention.

Synthesis of (A) Dye Example 1 3.1 g of 2-perfluoro (n) butylaniline (0.
To 0.1 mol), 0.03 mol of concentrated hydrochloric acid and 50 ml of water are added to form a hydrochloride, and 0.69 g (0.01 mol) of sodium nitrite is added.
20% aqueous solution of was added at 0 ° C. to give a diazonium salt.
N- (n) hexyl-3-cyano-4-trifluoromethyl-6-hydroxypyridone-2 in acetone / water (1
/ 1) Add diazonium salt to 60 ml of mixed solution at 0 ° C,
The mixture was stirred at 0 to 5 ° C for 5 hours, and the precipitated crystals were collected by filtration. Purified by column chromatography, Table-1, No. A dye of 4 was obtained. Yield: 43% Melting point: 136 ° C

Example 2 In the same manner as in Example 1 using 2-perfluoro (n) hexylaniline, Table-1, No. 97 dyes were obtained. Yield: 84% Melting point: 158 ° C

(B) Preparation of thermal transfer sheet and transfer test Example 3

[Table 5] a) Preparation of ink Pyridone azo dye (dye of No. 4 in Table 1) 5 g Polysulfone resin ^* 10 g Chlorobenzene 100 g ────────────────────── ────────────── Total 115g * Product name: Udel P-1700 (Nissan Chemical Co., Ltd.)
Product) Heat distortion temperature (ASTM D-648) 175 ° C. A mixture having the above composition was treated with a paint conditioner for 10 minutes to prepare an ink.

B) Preparation of transfer sheet Polyethylene terephthalate film (6 μm) whose back surface was heat-resistant and slip-treated with a wire bar was used.
(Thickness) and then dried (dry film thickness: about 1 μm) to obtain a transfer sheet. In addition, the polyethylene terephthalate film is subjected to the heat-resistant lubricity treatment by applying the following formula to the polyethylene terephthalate film.

[0035]

[Chemical 4]

8 parts by weight of a polycarbonate resin having a repeating structural unit represented by: 1 part by weight of a phosphoric acid ester-based surfactant (trade name: PRYSURF A-208B: a product of Dai-ichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.); Was applied and dried (dry film thickness: about 0.5 μm).

C) Preparation of image receptor 10 parts of saturated polyester resin (product name: TP-220, product of Nippon Gosei Co., Ltd.), amino-modified silicone (product name: KF393, product of Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) 0.5
Part, 15 parts of methyl ethyl ketone, and 15 parts of xylene are applied to a synthetic paper (product name: YUPO FPG150, product of Oji Yuka Co., Ltd.) with a wire bar and dried (dry film thickness of about 5 μm), and further 100 ° C. in an oven. An image receptor was prepared by heat-treating for 30 minutes.

D) Transfer recording The ink-coated surface of the transfer sheet was superposed on the recording medium and a thermal head was used to record under the following conditions.
It was possible to obtain a record of uniform color density shown in FIG.

Recording conditions Cotton density in main scanning and sub scanning: 8 dots / mm Recording power: 0.25 W / dot Head heating time: 10 msec Color density is densitometer TR manufactured by Macbeth, USA
It was measured using a -927 type. A light resistance test of the obtained record was conducted using a carbon arc fade meter (manufactured by Suga Test Instruments Co., Ltd.) (black panel temperature 63 ± 2).
However, the degree of discoloration after irradiation for 40 hours is shown by ΔE ^* value in Table-2. Further, the transfer sheet and the recorded matter were stable against heat and humidity, and had excellent storage stability in the dark.

Examples 2 to 8 In place of the dyes used in Example 1, the dyes shown in Table 1 below were used among the dyes shown in Table 1 above, and the ink was prepared and transferred in the same manner as in Example 1. As a result of producing the sheet and carrying out transfer recording, it was possible to obtain a clear yellow color recording having the color density shown in Table-2, and the light resistance was also good as shown in Table-2.

[0041]

[Table 6]

Example 9 A transfer sheet was prepared and transfer recording was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the ink prepared by the following method was used instead of the ink used in Example 1. As a result, a clear yellow color was obtained. It was possible to obtain a record of uniform color density. Further, the results of the light resistance test of the obtained record and the storage stability test of the transfer sheet and the record in the dark were both good.

[0043]

[Table 7] Preparation of Ink Dye Same as Example 1 (Dye of No. 4 in Table-1) 5 g AS Resin ^** 10 g Toluene 90 g Cyclohexanone 10 g ───────────────── ────────────────── Total 115g ** AS resin, trade name: Denka AS-S (a product of Denki Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.) (Picut softening point (JISK-6870) )
105 ° C)

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] October 30, 1992

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0035

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0035]

[Chemical 4]

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0039

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

The recording condition main scanning, sub scanning linear density: 8 dots / mm recording power: 0.25 W / dot head heating time: 10 msec Color density, U.S. Macbeth production, densitometer TR
It was measured using a -927 type. A light resistance test of the obtained record was conducted using a carbon arc fade meter (manufactured by Suga Test Instruments Co., Ltd.) (black panel temperature 63 ± 2).
However, the degree of discoloration after irradiation for 40 hours is shown in Table-2.
ΔE ^* ab Shown by value. This ΔE ^* ab The value is JISZ873
In the L ^* a ^* b ^* color system of 0-1980 "Color difference display method"
The color difference formula ΔE ^* ab = [(ΔL ^* ) ² + (Δa ^* ) ² + (Δ
b ^* ) ² ] ^1/2 . Further, the transfer sheet and the recorded matter were stable against heat and humidity, and had excellent storage stability in the dark.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Kazumi Hasegawa 1000 Kamoshida-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Sanryo Kasei Co., Ltd.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. The following general formula (I): (In the formula, X represents a perfluoroalkyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms. Further, R represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an allyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group. Represents a pyridone azo dye. 2. A thermal transfer sheet comprising a coloring material layer containing the pyridone azo dye represented by the general formula (I) according to claim 1.