U.S. patent application number 11/513513 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-21 for optical information-recording medium, novel oxonol compound and method of recording information.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Masaharu Akiba, Yoshio Inagaki, Hisashi Mikoshiba, Shin-ichi Morishima, Michihiro Shibata.
Application Number | 20060286338 11/513513 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32301868 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060286338 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Akiba; Masaharu ; et
al. |
December 21, 2006 |
Optical information-recording medium, novel oxonol compound and
method of recording information
Abstract
An optical information-recording medium which contains a dye
having at least two chromophores bonded to each other without any
conjugated bond intervening between those chromophores.
Inventors: |
Akiba; Masaharu; (Kanagawa,
JP) ; Morishima; Shin-ichi; (Kanagawa, JP) ;
Inagaki; Yoshio; (Kanagawa, JP) ; Mikoshiba;
Hisashi; (Kanagawa, JP) ; Shibata; Michihiro;
(Kanagawa, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
|
Family ID: |
32301868 |
Appl. No.: |
11/513513 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10724353 |
Dec 1, 2003 |
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11513513 |
Aug 31, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
428/64.4 ;
G9B/7.145; G9B/7.151; G9B/7.152; G9B/7.153 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 7/249 20130101;
G11B 7/259 20130101; G11B 7/2534 20130101; G11B 7/24038 20130101;
G11B 7/244 20130101; G11B 7/2542 20130101; G11B 7/2475 20130101;
G11B 7/248 20130101; C09B 23/00 20130101; C09B 23/083 20130101;
C09B 69/04 20130101; Y10S 430/146 20130101; G11B 7/246 20130101;
G11B 7/2578 20130101; C09B 23/0075 20130101; G11B 7/2467 20130101;
G11B 7/245 20130101; G11B 7/2472 20130101; G11B 7/2478 20130101;
G11B 2007/24612 20130101; G11B 7/00456 20130101; G11B 7/247
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
428/064.4 |
International
Class: |
B32B 3/02 20060101
B32B003/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 29, 2002 |
JP |
P2002-348143 |
Nov 17, 2003 |
JP |
P2003-386222 |
Claims
1-17. (canceled)
18. An optical information-recording medium, comprising a dye
having at least two chromophores bonded to each other without any
conjugated bond intervening between said chromophores, wherein the
dye is represented by the following formula (1): ##STR31## wherein
Dye.sup.11, Dye.sup.12 and Dye.sup.2k each independently represents
a dye residue having a chromophore, L.sup.11 and L.sup.2K each
independently represent a divalent linkage group forming no
.pi.-conjugated system between chromophores linked thereby, n
represents an integer of 0 to 10, k represents all integers in the
0 to n range, Q represents an ion neutralizing electric charge, and
y is a number required for neutralization of electric charge, and
wherein the chromophores forming dye residues represented by
Dye.sup.11, Dye.sup.12 and Dye.sup.2K are cyanine dyes represented
by the following formula (3) or merocyanine dyes represented by the
following formula (4): ##STR32## wherein Za.sup.1 and Za.sup.2 each
represent atoms forming a 5- or 6-membered nitrogen-containing
heterocyclic ring which may further be fused together with a
benzene ring, a benzofuran ring, a pyridine ring, a pyrrole ring,
an indole ring or a thiophene ring; Ra.sup.1 and Ra.sup.2 each
represent any of a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted
alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, a
substituted or unsubstituted aryl group and a substituted or
unsubstituted heterocyclic group; Ma.sup.1 to Ma.sup.7 each
independently represent a methine group which may have a
substituent; na.sup.1 and na.sup.2 each represent 0 or 1
independently; ka.sup.1 represents an integer of 0 to 3, and when
Ka.sup.1 is 2 or 3, Ma.sup.3s and Ma.sup.4s maybe the same or
different; Q represents an ion neutralizing electric charge; and y
is a number required for neutralization of electric charge; the dye
residue formed by removing a hydrogen atom from any of Za.sup.1,
Za.sup.2, Ra.sup.1, Ra.sup.2 and Ma.sup.1 to Ma.sup.7 in formula
(3) is chosen as a dye residue in formula (1) and enter into
combination with the linkage group L.sup.11 or L.sup.2K in formula
(1), and ##STR33## wherein Za.sup.3 represents atoms forming a 5-
or 6-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring which may
further be fused together with a benzene ring, a benzofuran ring, a
pyridine ring, a pyrrole ring, an indole ring or a thiophene ring;
Za.sup.4 represents atoms forming an acidic nucleus; Ra.sup.3
represents any of a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted
alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, a
substituted or unsubstituted aryl group and a substituted or
unsubstituted heterocyclic group; Ma.sup.8 to Ma.sup.11 each
represent a methine group independently; na.sup.3 is 0 or 1;
ka.sup.2 represents an integer of 0 to 3, and when ka.sup.2 is 2 or
3, Ma.sup.10s and Ma.sup.11s maybe the same or different; Q
represents an ion neutralizing electric charge; and y is a number
required for neutralization of electric charge; the dye residue
formed by removing a hydrogen atom from any of Za.sup.3, Za.sup.4,
Ra.sup.3 and Ma.sup.8 to Ma.sup.11 in formula (4) is chosen as a
dye residue in formula (1) and enter into combination with the
linkage group L.sup.11 or L.sup.2k in formula (1).
19. An optical information-recording medium, comprising a dye
having at least two chromophores bonded to each other without any
conjugated bond intervening between said chromophores, wherein the
dye is represented by the following formula (1): ##STR34## wherein
Dye.sup.11, Dye.sup.12 and Dye.sup.2K each independently represents
a dye residue having a chromophore L.sup.11 and L.sup.2k each
independently represent a divalent linkage group forming no
.pi.-conjugated system between chromophores linked thereby, n
represents an integer of 0 to 2, k represents all integers in the 0
to n range, Q represents an ion neutralizing electric charge, and y
is a number required for neutralization of electric charge.
20. An optical information-recording medium, comprising a dye
having at least two chromophores bonded to each other without any
conjugated bond intervening between said chromophores, with the
proviso that the dye is not a polymer.
21. An optical information-recording medium to be irradiated with
laser light having a wavelength of 600 to 700 nm, the medium
comprising a dye having at least two chromophores bonded to each
other without any conjugated bond intervening between said
chromophores, wherein the optical information-recording medium has
a thickness of 1.2.+-.0.2 mm and comprises two laminates each
containing a recording layer including the dye, in which the two
laminates are bonded to each other so that each of the recording
layers is inside, wherein each of the laminates includes: a
transparent disk-shape substrate having a pregroove formed with a
track pitch of 0.6 to 0.9 .mu.m and measuring one of 120.+-.3 mm
and 80.+-.3 mm in diameter and 0.6.+-.0.1 mm n thickness; and the
recording layer provided on the pregroove-formed side of the
transparent disk-shape substrate.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a heat-mode information
recording medium and an information recording method which enable
write (record) and read (playback) of information by use of high
energy density laser light. More specifically, the invention
relates to a heat-mode information recording medium, such as a
recordable digital versatile disc (DVD-R), which is suitable for
recording information by use of visible laser light.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Information recording media on which information is
recordable only once by use of laser light (optical discs) have
been long known. The information recording media of such a type are
referred to as recordable CDs (the so-called CD-R) as well. These
disc shave an advantage in that they can be rapidly delivered in
low quantities at reasonable prices, compared with traditional CDs,
and the demand for them has been growing as personal computers have
come into widespread use recently. A typical structure of CD-R type
of information recording media is a laminate in which a transparent
disk-shape substrate, a recording layer containing organic dyes, a
reflective layer made of metal such as gold and a protective layer
made of resin are arranged in the order of mention.
[0005] And such optical discs can have information recorded thereon
by being irradiated with laser light in the near infrared region
(generally laser light of wavelengths in the vicinity of 780 nm)
and undergoing local heat generation and deformation in their
respective recording layers. On the other hand, reading (playback)
of information from discs is generally performed by irradiating the
discs with laser light of the same wavelength as the laser light
used for recording has, and detecting differences in reflectivities
between the areas deformed by heat generation (recorded area) and
the areas remaining undeformed (unrecorded area) in the recording
layers.
[0006] In recent years information recording media have been
required to have higher recording densities. In order to heighten
the recording densities, it is known to be effective that the
diameter of laser light used for irradiation is narrowed down.
Moreover, irradiation with laser light of shorter wavelengths is
known to be theoretically more advantageous to further increase in
recording density, because the diameter of laser light can be made
more narrow the shorter the laser light is in wavelength.
Therefore, the development of optical discs suitable for record and
playback with laser light of wavelengths shorter than hitherto used
780 nm has been pursued. For instance, optical discs referred to as
recordable digital video discs (the so-called DVD-R) have been
offered. These optical discs are each manufactured so as to have a
structure that two disks which each have on a 120-mm-dia or
80-mm-dia transparent disk-shape substrate, wherein is formed a
pregroove having a 0.8-.mu.m track pitch smaller than 1.6 .mu.m
adopted as the track pitch of CD-R, a dye-containing recording
layer, a reflective layer and a protective layer in the order of
mention are bonded together with the recording layers inside, or
one disk as described above and a disk-shape protective substrate
having almost the same dimensions are bonded together with the
recording layer inside. And the record and the playback of DVD-R
are performed by irradiation with visible laser light (generally in
the wavelength range of 600 to 700 nm). Therefore, DVD-R is
considered to enable high-density recording, compared with CD-R
type of optical discs.
[0007] As the information recording medium of DVD-R type can record
information several times as much as that of a hitherto used
information recording medium of CD-R type, it is desired that the
information recording medium of DVD-R type has not only high
recording sensitivity but also a low incidence of errors even in
high-speed recording made out of necessity to process rapidly
high-volume information in particular. In addition, it is desired
to develop a recording layer capable of retaining its properties
with stability for a long time even under exposure to light or
heat, because a dye-containing recording layer is generally not so
stable to prolonged exposure to heat or light.
[0008] JP-A-10-226170 discloses the DVD-R type of information
recording medium having on a substrate a recording layer containing
a certain cyanine dye. Therein, it is stated that the cyanine dye
compound as specified can ensure high recording sensitivity and
high reflectivity in the information recording medium. Further,
JP-A-2001-287456 discloses the information recording medium having
on a substrate a recording layer containing a cyanine dye of a
specific structure, and states that such a cyanine dye enables the
recording medium to have excellent recording characteristics and
retain its recording characteristics with stability for a long
time. On the other hand, JP-A-63-209995 discloses the CD-R type of
information recording medium having an oxonol dye-containing
recording layer provided on a substrate, and states that the use of
such a dye compound enables long-term retention of steady record
and playback characteristics. Therein, the oxonol dye compounds
having ammonium ions introduced therein for forming salts are
disclosed. In addition, JP-A-2000-52658 discloses the oxonol dye
compounds providing optical information-recording media with high
light resistance and durability as well as excellent recording
characteristics.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present Inventors used various cyanine dye compounds and
oxonol dye compounds as disclosed in the documents cited above in
optical information-recording media of DVD-R type and studied
performance capabilities of the resulting recording media. As a
result, it has been found that while the DVD-R type of optical
information-recording media containing those dye compounds in their
respective recording layers showed very excellent recording
characteristics in the low-speed recording at equivalent or double
speed, they fell short of delivering practically sufficient
performances in respects of modulation factor and reflectivity
although they can show comparatively excellent recording
characteristics at the time of high-speed recording at quadruple or
higher speed. The use of a dye having an optical characteristic
that the complex refractive index (n+ik) of the dye is greater in
the real part n than those of dyes for low-speed recording use and
its imaginary part k is almost the same as or smaller than those of
dyes for low-speed recording use can serve the purpose of obtaining
an optical information-recording medium which can maintain
satisfactory recording characteristics in the recording at a low
speed such as an equivalent or double speed and, at the same time,
can satisfy recording performances, including sufficient
reflectivity and modulation factor in particular, even in the
recording at a high speed such as a quadruple or higher speed.
However, it was very difficult to obtain dyes showing complex
refractive indexes great in real part n and almost equal or small
in imaginary part k, compared with those of dyes for low-speed
recording use, while maintaining satisfactory low-speed recording
characteristics. Therefore, an object of the invention is to
provide a dye having a complex refractive index great in real part
n and almost equal or small in imaginary part k, compared with
those of dyes for low-speed recording use, and thereby ensuring a
high reflectivity and a high modulation factor even in high-speed
recording at quadruple or higher speed as it maintains satisfactory
recording characteristics in low-speed recording at equivalent to
double speed. Another object of the invention is to provide a dye
attaining sufficiently low jitter at a wide range of recording
speeds covering from equivalent- to octuple-speed recording.
[0010] As a result of our intensive studies, it has been found that
the desired optical characteristics as mentioned above can be
achieved by imparting the following specific molecular structures
to dyes.
[0011] The following are embodiments of the invention:
[0012] (1) An optical information-recording medium, comprising a
dye having at least two chromophores that are bonded to each other
without any conjugated bond intervening between the chromophores
(preferably in a recording layer). The optical
information-recording medium is preferably a heat-mode optical
information-recording medium having on a substrate a recording
layer capable of recording information by irradiation with laser
light.
[0013] (2) A heat-mode optical information-recording medium as
described in (1), having a thickness of 1.2.+-.0.2 mm and
comprising two laminates each containing a recording layer
including the dye, in which the two laminates are bonded each other
so that each of the recording layers is inside, wherein each of the
laminates includes a transparent disk-shape substrate having a
pregroove formed with a track pitch of 0.6 to 0.9 .mu.m and
measuring one of 120.+-.3 mm and 80.+-.3 mm in diameter and
0.6.+-.0.1 mm in thickness; and the recording layer provided on the
pregroove-formed side of the transparent disk-shape substrate; or a
heat-mode optical information-recording medium as described in (1),
having a thickness of 1.2.+-.0.2 mm, the optical
information-recording medium comprising a laminate containing a
recording layer including the dye and a disk-shape protective
plate, in which the laminate and the disk-shape protective plate
are bonded each other so that the recording layer is inside,
wherein the laminate includes a transparent disk-shape substrate
having a pregroove formed with a track pitch of 0.6 to 0.9 .mu.m
and measuring one of 120.+-.3 mm and 80.+-.3 mm in diameter and
0.6.+-.0.1 mm in thickness; and the recording layer provided on the
pregroove-formed side of the transparent disk-shape substrate.
[0014] (3) An optical information-recording medium as described in
(1) or (2), wherein the dye is represented by the following formula
(1): ##STR1## wherein Dye.sup.11, Dye.sup.12 and Dye.sup.2K each
independently represents a dye residue having a chromophore,
L.sup.11 and L.sup.2k each independently represent a divalent
linkage group forming .pi.-conjugated system between chromophores
linked thereby, n represents an integer of 0 to 10, k represents
every integer in the 0 to n range, Q represents an ion neutralizing
electric charge, and y is a number required for neutralization of
electric charge.
[0015] (4) An optical information-recording medium as described in
(3), wherein the chromophore forming the dye residue represented by
any of Dye.sup.11, Dye.sup.12 and Dye.sup.2k is at least one of
cyanine dyes, merocyanine dyes and oxonol dyes.
[0016] (5) An optical information-recording medium as described in
(3) or (4), wherein all the chromophores forming the dye residues
represented by Dye.sup.11, Dye.sup.12 and Dye.sup.2k are oxonol
dyes.
[0017] (6) An optical information-recording medium as described in
any of (1) to (5), wherein the dye is of a structure represented by
the following formula (6): ##STR2## wherein Za.sup.21, Za.sup.22,
Za.sup.23 and Za.sup.24 each independently represents atoms forming
an acidic nucleus, Ma.sup.21, Ma.sup.22, Ma.sup.23, Ma.sup.24,
Ma.sup.25 and Ma.sup.26 each represent a substituted or
unsubstituted methine group independently, L.sup.11 is a divalent
linkage group forming no .pi.-conjugated system together with its
two bonds, Ka.sup.21 and Ka.sup.22 each represent an integer of 0
to 3 independently, and Q represents a univalent cation for
neutralizing electric charge or 2Q represents a divalent cation;
and Ma.sup.21s, Ma.sup.22s, Ma.sup.25s and Ma.sup.26s present when
Ka.sup.21 and Ka.sup.22 are each 2 or 3 may be the same or
different.
[0018] (7) An oxonol compound represented by the following formula
(2): ##STR3## wherein R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13 and R.sup.14
each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or
unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl
group or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group,
R.sup.21, R.sup.22 and R.sup.3 each independently represents a
hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a
substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group, a substituted or
unsubstituted aryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryloxy
group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, a halogen
atom, a carboxyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted
alkoxycarbonyl group, a cyano group, a substituted or unsubstituted
acyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbamoyl group, an
amino group, a substituted amino group, a sulfo group, a hydroxyl
group, a nitro group, a substituted or unsubstituted
alkylsulfonylamino group, a substituted or unsubstituted
arylsulfonylamino group, a substituted or unsubstituted
carbamoylamino group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfonyl
group, a substituted or unsubstituted arylsulfonyl group, a
substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfinyl group, a substituted or
unsubstituted arylsulfinyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted
sulfamoyl group, m represents an integer of 0 or more, R.sup.3s may
be the same or different when m is 2 or more, Z.sup.X+ represents a
cation, and x represents an integer of 1 or more.
[0019] (8) An optical information-recording medium as described in
any of (1) to (6), wherein the dye is an oxonol compound
represented by formula (2) defined in (7).
[0020] (9) A method of recording information comprising recording
information on an optical information-recording medium as described
in any of (1) to (6) and (8) by irradiation with laser light having
a wavelength of 600 to 700 nm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing recording strategies used in
Example and Comparative Examples.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The invention is illustrated below in detail. Additionally,
when a specific moiety is referred to as "a group" in the
invention, the term "group" means that the moiety may have at least
one (to the greatest possible number) substituent or no substituent
unless otherwise indicated. For instance, the term "an alkyl group"
is intended to include substituted and unsubstituted alkyl groups.
Moreover, the substituents usable in the present compounds may
include any substituents whether they further have substituents or
not. And when a specific moiety is referred to as "a ring" or "a
group" contains "a ring" in the invention, the "ring" may be a
single ring or a condensed ring, or it may be substituted or
unsubstituted, unless otherwise indicated. For instance, "an aryl
group" may be a phenyl group, or a naphthyl group, or a substituted
phenyl group.
[0023] In formula (1), Dye.sup.11, Dye.sup.12 and Dye.sup.2k each
represent a dye residue having a chromophores independently. The
chromophore forming the dye residue represented by Dye.sup.11,
Dye.sup.12 and Dye.sup.2k each has no particular restrictions.
Included among its examples are cyanine dyes, styryl dyes,
merocyanine dyes, phthalocyanine dyes, oxonol dyes, azo dyes,
azamethine dyes, squarylium dyes and metal chelate compolex dyes.
Suitable examples of chromophores forming dye residues forming
Dye.sup.11, Dye.sup.12 and Dye.sup.2k include cyanine dyes,
merocyanine dyes, oxonol dyes, phthalocyanine dyes, or metal
chelate dyes. Of these dyes, cyanine dyes, merocyanine dyes or
oxonol dyes, especially cyanine dyes or oxonol dyes, are preferred
over the others as the chromophores forming dye residues
represented by Dye.sup.11, Dye.sup.12 and Dye.sup.2k. The
chromophores forming dye residues represented by Dye.sup.11,
Dye.sup.12 and Dye.sup.2k may be different from one another, but it
is preferable that they are the same.
[0024] When the chromophores forming dye residues represented by
Dye.sup.11, Dye.sup.12 and Dye.sup.2k are cyanine dyes, the cyanine
dyes are preferably those represented by the following formula (3):
##STR4##
[0025] In the above formula, Za.sup.1 and Za.sup.2 each represent
atoms forming a 5- or 6-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic
ring which may further be fused together with a benzene ring, a
benzofuran ring, a pyridine ring, a pyrrole ring, an indole ring or
a thiophene ring.
[0026] Ra.sup.1 and Ra.sup.2 each represent any of a hydrogen atom,
a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group (preferably containing 1
to 20 carbon atoms, with examples including methyl, ethyl,
n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, n-pentyl, benzyl, 3-sulfopropyl,
4-sulfopropyl, 3-methyl-3-sulfopropyl, 2'-sulfobenzyl,
carboxymethyl and 5-carboxypentyl groups), a substituted or
unsubstituted alkenyl group (preferably containing 2 to 20 carbon
atoms, with examples including vinyl and allyl groups), a
substituted or unsubstituted aryl group (preferably containing 6 to
20 carbon atoms, with examples including phenyl, 2-chlorophenyl,
4-methoxyphenyl, 3-methylphenyl and 1-naphthyl groups) and a
substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group (preferably
containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms, with examples including pyridyl,
thienyl, furyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrrolidino and
morpholino groups), preferably any of a hydrogen atom, a
substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group and a substituted or
unsubstituted sulfoalkyl group, far preferably either of a
substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a substituted or
unsubstituted sulfoalkyl group.
[0027] Ma.sup.1 to Ma.sup.7 each represent a methine group
independently. The methine group may have a substituent. Suitable
examples of such a substituent include a 1-20C alkyl group (e.g.,
methyl, ethyl, i-propyl), a halogen atom (e.g., chlorine, bromine,
iodine, fluorine), a nitro group, a 1-20C alkoxy group (e.g.,
methoxy, ethoxy), a 6-26C aryl group (e.g., phenyl, 2-naphthyl), a
0-20C heterocyclic group (e.g., 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl), a 6-20
caryloxy group (e.g., phenoxy, 1-naphthoxy, 2-naphthoxy), a 1-20C
acylamino group (e.g., acetylamino, benzoylamino), a 1-20C
carbamoyl group (e.g., N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl), a sulfo group, a
hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, a 1-20C alkylthio group (e.g.,
methylthio) and a cyano group. In addition, the methine group may
form a ring together with another methine group, or it can form a
ring in combination with an auxochrome.
[0028] It is preferable that Ma.sup.1 to Ma.sup.7 are each an
unsubstituted methine group, an ethyl-substituted methine group or
a methyl-substituted methine group independently.
[0029] na.sup.1 and na.sup.2 each represent 0 or 1 independently,
and it is preferable that they are each 0. ka.sup.1 represents an
integer of 0 to 3, preferably an integer of 0 to 2, far preferably
1 or 2. When ka.sup.1 is 2 or 3, Ma.sup.3s and Ma.sup.4s may be the
same or different. Q represents an ion neutralizing electric
charge, and y is a number required for neutralization of electric
charge.
[0030] Incidentally, the dye residue formed by removing a hydrogen
atom from any of Za.sup.1, Za.sup.2, Ra.sup.1, Ra.sup.2 and
Ma.sup.1 to Ma.sup.7 in formula (3) can be chosen as a dye residue
in formula (1) and enter into combination with the linkage group
L.sup.11 or L.sup.2k in formula (1).
[0031] When the chromophores forming dye residues represented by
Dye.sup.11, Dye.sup.12 and Dye.sup.2k are merocyanine dyes, the
merocyanine dyes are preferably those represented by the following
formula (4): ##STR5##
[0032] In the above formula, Za.sup.3 represents atoms forming a 5-
or 6-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring which may
further be fused together with a benzene ring, a benzofuran ring, a
pyridine ring, a pyrrole ring, an indole ring or a thiophene ring.
Za.sup.4 represents atoms forming an acidic nucleus. Ra.sup.3
represents any of a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted
alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, a
substituted or unsubstituted aryl group and a substituted or
unsubstituted heterocyclic group (suitable examples of these groups
include the same groups as recited for Ra.sup.1 and Ra.sup.2).
Ma.sup.8 to Ma.sup.11 each represent a methine group independently
(suitable examples of this group include the same groups as recited
for Ma.sup.1 to Ma.sup.7). na.sup.3 is 0 or 1. ka.sup.2 represents
an integer of 0 to 3, preferably an integer of 0 to 2. Q represents
an ion neutralizing electric charge, and y is a number required for
neutralization of electric charge.
[0033] When ka.sup.2 is 2 or 3, Ma.sup.10s and Ma.sup.11s may be
the same or different. Incidentally, the dye residue formed by
removing a hydrogen atom from any of Za.sup.3, Za.sup.4, Ra.sup.3
and Ma.sup.8 to Ma.sup.11 in formula (4) can be chosen as a dye
residue in formula (1) and enter into combination with the linkage
group L.sup.11 or L.sup.2k in formula (1).
[0034] When the chromophores forming dye residues represented by
Dye.sup.11, Dye.sup.12 and Dye.sup.2k are oxonol dyes, the oxonol
dyes are preferably those represented by the following formula (5):
##STR6##
[0035] In the above formula, Za.sup.5 and Za.sup.6 each represent
atoms forming an acidic nucleus independently. Ma.sup.12 to
Ma.sup.14 each represent a substituted or unsubstituted methine
group independently (suitable examples of this group include the
same groups as recited for Ma.sup.1 to Ma.sup.7). ka.sup.3
represents an integer of 0 to 3, preferably an integer of 0 to 2,
far preferably 1 or 2. When ka.sup.3 is 2 or 3, Ma.sup.12s and
Ma.sup.13s may be the same or different.
[0036] Q represents an ion neutralizing electric charge, and y is a
number required for neutralization of electric charge.
[0037] Incidentally, the dye residue formed by removing a hydrogen
atom from any of Za.sup.5, Za.sup.6 and Ma.sup.12 to Ma.sup.14 in
formula (5) can be chosen as a dye residue in formula (1) and enter
into combination with the linkage group L.sup.11 or L.sup.2k in
formula (1).
[0038] Examples of groups which Za.sup.1, Za.sup.2 and Za.sup.3
constitute respectively include groups derived from 3-25C oxazole
nuclei (e.g., 2-3-methyloxazolyl, 2-3-ethyloxazolyl,
2-3,4-diethyloxazolyl, 2-3-methylbenzoxazolyl,
2-3-ethylbenzoxazolyl, 2-3-sulfoethylbenzoxazolyl,
2-3-sulfopropylbenzoxazolyl, 2-3-methylthioethylbenzoxazolyl,
2-3-methoxyethylbenzoxazolyl, 2-3-sulfobutylbenzoxazolyl,
2-3-methyl-.beta.-naphthoxazolyl,
2-3-methyl-.alpha.-naphthoxazolyl,
2-3-sulfopropyl-.beta.-naphthoxazolyl,
2-3-sulfopropyl-.alpha.-naphthoxazolyl,
2-3-(3-naphthoxyethyl)benzoxazolyl, 2-3,5-dimethylbenzoxazolyl,
2-6-chloro-3-methylbenzoxazolyl, 2-5-bromo-3-methylbenzoxazolyl,
2-3-ethyl-5-methoxybenzoxazolyl,
2-5-phenyl-3-sulfopropylbenzoxazolyl,
2-5-(4-bromophenyl)-3-sulfobutylbenzoxazolyl,
2-3-methyl-5,6-dimethylthiobenzoxazolyl), groups derived from 3-25C
thiazole nuclei (e.g., 2-3-methylthiazolyl, 2-3-ethylthiazolyl,
2-3-sulfopropylthiazolyl, 2-3-sulfobutylthiazolyl,
2-3,4-dimethylthiazolyl, 2-3,4,5-trimethylthiazolyl,
2-3-carboxyethylthiazolyl, 2-3-methylbenzothiazolyl,
2-3-ethylbenzothiazolyl, 2-3-butylbenzothiazolyl,
2-3-sulfopropylbenzothiazolyl, 2-3-sulfobutylbenzothiazolyl,
2-3-methyl-.beta.-naphthothiazolyl,
2-3-sulfopropyl-.gamma.-naphthothiazolyl,
2-3-(1-naphthoxyethyl)benzothiazolyl, 2-3,5-dimethylbenzothiazolyl,
2-6-chloro-3-methylbenzothiazolyl, 2-6-iodo-3-ethylbenzothiazolyl,
2-5-bromo-3-methylbenzothiazolyl,
2-3-ethyl-5-methoxybenzothiazolyl,
2-5-phenyl-3-sulfopropylbenzothiazolyl,
2-5-(4-bromophenyl)-3-sulfobutylbenzothiazolyl,
2-3-methyl-5,6-dimethylthiobenzothiazolyl), groups derived from
3-25C imidazole nuclei (e.g., 2-1,3-diethylimidazolyl,
2-1,3-dimethylimidazolyl, 2-1-methylbenzimidazolyl,
2-1,3,4-triethylimidazolyl, 2-1,3-diethylbenzimidazolyl,
2-1,3,5-trimethylimidazolyl, 2-6-chloro-1,3-dimethylbenzimidazolyl,
2-5,6-dichloro-1,3-diethylbenzimidazolyl,
2-1,3-disulfopropyl-5-cyano-6-chlorobenzimidazolyl), groups derived
from 10-30C indolenine nuclei (e.g., those derived from
3,3-dimethylindolenine), groups derived from 9-25C quinoline nuclei
(e.g., 2-1-methylquinolyl, 2-1-ethylquinolyl,
2-1-methyl-6-chloroquinolyl, 2-1,3-diethylquinolyl,
2-1-methyl-6-methylthioquinolyl, 2-1-sulfopropylquinolyl,
4-1-methylquinolyl, 4-1-sulfoethylquinolyl,
4-1-methyl-7-chloroquinolyl, 4-1,8-diethylquinolyl,
4-1-methyl-6-methylthioquinolyl, 4-1-sulfopropylquinolyl), groups
derived from 3-25C selenazole nuclei (e.g.,
2-3-methylbenzoselenazolyl) and groups derived from pyridine nuclei
(e.g., 2-pyridyl). Other examples of heterocyclic nuclei formed by
Za.sup.1, Za.sup.2 and Za.sup.3 respectively include tiazoline
nuclei, oxazoline nuclei, selenazoline nuclei, tetrazoline nuclei,
tellurazole nuclei, benzotellurazole nuclei, imidazoline nuclei,
imidazo[4,5-quinoxaline] nuclei, oxadiazole nuclei, thiadiazole
nuclei, tetrazole nuclei and pyrimidine nuclei. These nuclei may
have substituents. Suitable examples of such substituents include
alkyl groups (e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl), halogenatoms (e.g.,
chlorine, bromine, iodine, fluorine, a nitro group, alkoxy groups
(e.g., methoxy, ethoxy), aryl groups (e.g., phenyl), heterocyclic
groups (e.g., 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 1-pyrrolyl, 2-thienyl), aryloxy
groups (e.g., pehnoxy), acylamino groups (e.g., acetylamino,
benzoylamino), carbamoyl groups (e.g., N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl), a
sulfo group, sulfonamido groups (e.g., methanesulfonamido),
sulfamoyl groups (e.g., N-methylsulfamoyl), a hydroxyl group, a
carboxyl group, alkylthio groups (e.g., methylthio) and a cyano
group. Of the nuclei recited above, the oxazole nuclei, the
imidazole nuclei and the thiazole nuclei are preferred over the
others. These nuclei may further be fused together with other
rings. Examples of rings to be fused include benzene rings,
benzofuran rings, pyridine rings, pyrrole rings, indole rings and
thiophene rings.
[0039] Za.sup.4, Za.sup.5 and Za.sup.6 each represent atoms
required for forming an acidic nucleus as defined in The Theory of
the Photographic Process, 4th edition edited by James, page 198,
Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc. (1997). Examples of such an acidic
nucleus include pyrazol-5-one, pyrazolidine-3,5-dione,
imidazoline-5-one, hydantoin, 2- or 4-thiohydantoin,
2-iminooxazolidine-4-one, 2-oxazoline-5-one,
2-thiooxazoline-2,4-dione, isorhodanine, rhodanine,
thiophene-3-one, thiophene-3-one-1,1-dioxide, indoline-2-one,
indoline-3-one, 2-oxoindazolium,
5,7-dioxo-6,7-dihydrothiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidine,
3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-4-one, 1,3-dioxane-4,6-dione (e.g.,
meldrum's acid), barbituric acid, 2-thiobarbituric acid,
coumarin-2,4-dione, indazoline-2-one,
pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidine-1,3-dione, pyrazolo[1,5-b]quinazolone,
pyrazolopyridone, 3-dicyanomethylidenyl-3-phenylpropionitrile and
5- or 6-membered carbon ring (e.g., hexane-1,3-dione,
pentane-1,3-dione, indane-1,3-dione). Of these nuclei,
pyrazole-5-one, barbituric acid, 2-thiobarbituric acid and
1,3-dioxane-4,6-dione are preferred over the others.
[0040] Examples of cyanine dyes, merocyanine dyes and oxonol dyes
include those described in F. M. Harmer, Heterocyclic
Compounds--Cyanine Dyes and Related Compounds, Jhon & Wiley
& Sons, New York, London (1964).
[0041] In formula (1), L.sup.11 and L.sup.2k each represent a
divalent linkage group independently, and have no particular
restriction except that each of the linkage groups forms no
.pi.-conjugated system between the chromophores linked thereto,
with suitable examples including 0-100C, preferably 1-20C, linkage
groups made up of one or more groups selected from among alkylene
groups (those containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms, such as methylene,
ethylene, propylene, butylene and pentylene), arylene groups (those
containing 6 to 26 carbon atoms, such as phenylene and
naphthylene), alkynylene groups (those containing 2 to 20 carbon
atoms, such as ethynylene and propnylene), --CO--N(R.sup.101)--,
--CO--O--, --SO.sub.2--N--(R.sup.102)--, --SO.sub.2--O--,
--N(R.sup.103)--CO--N(R.sup.104)--, SO.sub.2--, --SO--, --S--,
--O--, --CO--, --N(R.sup.105)-- and heterylene groups (those
containing 1 to 26 carbon atoms, such as
6-chloro-1,3,5-triazyl-2,4-diyl and pyrimidine-2,4-diyl). Herein,
R.sup.101, R.sup.102, R.sup.103, R.sup.104 and R.sup.105 each
independently represent any of a hydrogen atom, a substituted or
unsubstituted alkyl group and a substituted or unsubstituted aryl
group. In addition, when L.sup.11 and L.sup.2k are each a
combination of two or more of the linkage groups as recited above,
at least two (preferably two) of the linkage groups may combine
with each other to form a ring.
[0042] As L.sup.11 and L.sup.2k each, the linkage group formed by
bonding two alkylene groups (preferably including ethylene)
together to form a ring, especially a 5- or 6-membered ring
(preferably a cyclohexane ring), is preferred.
[0043] In formula (1), n is an integer of 0 to 10, preferably 0 to
5, far preferably 0 to 3, particularly preferably 0 to 2.
[0044] In formula (1), k represents all integers in the 0 to n
range. For instance, when n is 2, k represents three integers of 0,
1 and 2, Dye.sup.2k represents three independent chromophores
Dye.sup.20, Dye.sup.21 and Dye.sup.22, and L.sup.2k represents
three independent linkage groups L.sup.20, L.sup.21 and L.sup.22.
When n is an integer greater than one, two or more chromophores
represented by Dye.sup.2k may be the same or different, and two or
more linkage groups represented by L.sup.2k may be the same or
different.
[0045] In formula (1), Q represents an ion neutralizing electric
charge, and y is a number required for neutralization of electric
charge. Whether a certain compound is a cation or an anion, or
whether it has net ionic charge or not, depends on what kind of
substituent the compound has. In formulae (1), (3), (4) and (5)
each, the ion represented by Q has three cases depending on the
electric charge of its counter dye molecule: a case where it is a
cation, a case where it is an anion, and a case where Q is absent
when the dye molecule has no electric charge. The ion represented
by Q has no particular restrictions, but it may be an ion derived
from an inorganic compound or an ion derived from an organic
compound. In addition, the electric charge of an ion represented by
Q may be univalent or polyvalent. Examples of a cation represented
by Q include metal ions such as sodium ion and potassium ion, and
onium ions such as quaternary ammonium ions, oxonium ions,
sulfonium ions, phosphonium ions, selenonium ions and iodonium
ions. Examples of an anion represented by Q include halide anions
such as chloride ion, bromide ion and fluoride ion, heteropolyacid
ions such as sulfate ion, phosphate ion and hydrogen phosphate ion,
organic polyvalent anions such as succinate ion, maleate ion,
fumarate ion and aromatic disulfonate ions, tetrafluoroborate ion
and hexafluorophosphate ion.
[0046] The ions suitable as cation represented by Q are onium ions,
especially quaternary ammonium ions. Of the quaternary ammonium
ions, the 4,4'-bipyridinium cations represented by formula (1-4) in
JP-A-2000-52658 and the 4,4'-bipyridinium cations disclosed in
JP-A-2000-59652 are preferred in particular.
[0047] The ions suitable as anion represented by Q are
tetrafluoroborate ion, hexafluorophosphate ion and organic
polyvalent anions, especially 2- or 3-valent organic anions derived
from naphthalenedisulfonic acid derivatives. Of the 2- or 3-valent
organic anions, the naphthalenedisulfonic acid anions disclosed in
JP-A-10-226170 are preferred in particular.
[0048] Of the dyes represented by formula (1), dyes having
structures represented by the following formula (6) are preferred
over the others as the dye used in the present optical
information-recording medium: ##STR7## wherein Za.sup.21,
Za.sup.22, Za.sup.23 and Za.sup.24 each represent atoms forming an
acidic nucleus independently, and as concrete examples of
Za.sup.21, Za.sup.22, Za.sup.23 and Za.sup.24, the acidic nuclei
described for Za.sup.5 and Za.sup.6 in formula (5) described above
are exemplified. Also, the preferred examples thereof are the same
as in the above described Za.sup.5 and Za.sup.6.
[0049] Ma.sup.21, Ma.sup.22, Ma.sup.23, Ma.sup.24, Ma.sup.25 and
Ma.sup.26 each represent a substituted or unsubstituted methine
group independently, and as concrete examples of Ma.sup.21,
Ma.sup.22, Ma.sup.23, Ma.sup.24, Ma.sup.25 and Ma.sup.26 the same
meaning as described for Ma.sup.1 to Ma.sup.7 in formula (3)
described above.
[0050] L.sup.11 is a divalent linkage group forming no
.pi.-conjugated system together with its two bonds, and as concrete
examples of L.sup.11, ones described for L.sup.11 and L.sup.2k in
formula (1) described above are exemplified.
[0051] Ka.sup.21 and Ka.sup.22 each represent an integer of 0 to 3,
preferably 0 to 2 and more preferably 1 or 2, independently; and
Ma.sup.21s, Ma.sup.22s, Ma.sup.25s and Ma.sup.26s present in a case
where Ka.sup.21 and Ka.sup.22 are each 2 or 3 may be the same or
different.
[0052] Q represents a univalent cation for neutralizing electric
charge, or 2Q represents a divalent cation, and as concrete
examples and preferred examples of Q, ones described in a case
where Q in formula (1) is a cation are exemplified,
respectively.
[0053] It is most advantageous for the present optical
information-recording medium to contain a dye having a structure
represented by formula (2) as the dye represented by formula
(1).
[0054] In formula (2), R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13 and R.sup.14
each independently represent any of a hydrogen atom, a substituted
or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl
group and a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group.
Examples of substituted or unsubstituted alkyl groups represented
by R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13 and R.sup.14 respectively include
1-20C alkyl groups (e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, i-butyl,
t-butyl, i-amyl, cyclopropyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl, phenetyl). When
R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13 and R.sup.14 are each an alkyl group,
carbon rings (e.g., cyclopropane, cyclobutane, cyclopentane,
cyclohexane, 2-methylcyclohexane, cycloheptane, cyclooctane) or
heterocyclic rings (e.g., pyridine, chroman, morpholine) may be
formed by combining R.sup.11 with R.sup.12 and, at the same time,
combining R.sup.13 with R.sup.14. The alkyl group suitable as
R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13 and R.sup.14 each is a 1-8C open-chain
or cyclic alkyl group, especially a 1-5C open-chain (straight or
branched) alkyl group, an alkyl group capable of forming a 1-8C
ring (preferably a cyclohexane ring) as a combination of R.sup.11
and R.sup.12 or as a combination of R.sup.13 and R.sup.14, or a
1-20C substituted alkyl group (e.g., benzyl, phenetyl).
[0055] Examples of a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group
represented by R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13 and R.sup.14 each in
formula (2) include 6-20C aryl groups (e.g., phenyl, naphthyl). The
aryl group suitable as R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13 and R.sup.14
each is a 6-10C aryl group.
[0056] The substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group
represented by R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13 and R.sup.14 each in
formula (2) is a 5- or 6-membered saturated or unsaturated
heterocyclic group made up of carbon atoms and nitrogen, oxygen
or/and sulfur atom(s), with examples including a pyridyl group, a
pyrimidyl group, a pyridazyl group, a piperidyl group, a triazyl
group, a pyrrolyl group, an imidazolyl group, a triazolyl group, a
furanyl group, a thiophenyl group, a thiazolyl group, an oxazolyl
group, an isothiazolyl group and an isoxazolyl group. Further, the
heterocyclic group may be a group formed by fusing each of the
above-recited groups together with a benzene ring (such as a
quinolyl group, a benzimidazolyl group, a benzothiazolyl group or a
benzoxazolyl group). The substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic
group suitable as R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13 and R.sup.14 each is
a 6-10C substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group.
[0057] Examples of a substituent present in the substituted or
unsubstituted alkyl group, the substituted or unsubstituted aryl
group and the substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group
represented by each of R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13 and R.sup.14 in
formula (2) include a group S of substituents as recited below.
[0058] In the group S are included 1-20C alkyl groups (e.g.,
methyl, ethyl, propyl, carboxymethyl, ethoxycarbonylmethyl), 7-20C
aralkyl groups (e.g., benzyl, phenetyl), 1-8C alkoxy groups (e.g.,
methoxy, ethoxy), 6-20C aryl groups (e.g., phenyl, naphthyl), 6-20C
aryloxy groups (e.g., phenoxy, naphthoxy), heterocyclic groups
(e.g., pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyridazyl, benzimidazolyl,
benzothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, 2-pyrrolidinone-1-yl,
2-piperidone-1-yl, 2,4-dioxyimidazolidine-3-yl,
2,4-dioxyoxazolidine-3-yl, succinimido, phthalimido, maleimido),
halogen atoms (e.g., fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine), a
carboxyl group, 2-10C alkoxycarbonyl groups (e.g., methoxycarbonyl,
ethoxycarbonyl), a cyano group, 2-10C acyl groups (e.g., acetyl,
pivaloyl), 1-10C carbamoyl groups (e.g., carbamoyl,
methylcarbamoyl, morpholinocarbamoyl), an amino group, 1-20C
substituted amino group (e.g., dimethylamino, diethylamino,
bis(methylsulfonylethyl)amino, N-ethyl-N'-sulfoethylamino), a sulfo
group, a hydroxyl group, a nitro group, 1-10C sulfonamido groups
(e.g., methanesulfonamido), 1-10C ureido groups (e.g., ureido,
methylureido), 1-10C sulfonyl groups (e.g., methanesulfonyl,
ethanesulfonyl), 1-10C sulfinyl groups (e.g., methanesulfinyl), and
0-10C sulfamoyl groups (e.g., sulfamoyl, methanesulfamoyl). When
the substituent is a carboxyl group or a sulfo group, it may be in
a salt state.
[0059] In formula (2), R.sup.21, R.sup.22 and R.sup.3 each
independently represent any of a hydrogen atom, a substituted or
unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy
group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, a substituted or
unsubstituted aryloxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted
heterocyclic group, a halogen atom, a carboxyl group, a substituted
or unsubstituted alkoxycarbonyl group, a cyano group, a substituted
or unsubstituted acyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted
carbamoyl group, an amino group, a substituted amino group, a sulfo
group, a hydroxyl group, a nitro group, a substituted or
unsubstituted alkylsulfonylamino group, a substituted or
unsubstituted carbamoylamino group, a substituted or unsubstituted
alkylsulfonyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted arylsulfonyl
group, a substituted or unsubstituted sulfinyl group, and a
substituted or unsubstituted sulfamoyl group. It is appropriate
that R.sup.21, R.sup.22 and R.sup.3 be each a hydrogen atom, a
substituted or unsubstituted 1-20C alkyl group, a substituted or
unsubstituted 2-20C heterocyclic group, a substituted or
substituted 1-20C alkoxy group, a substituted or substituted 6-20C
aryl group, or a halogen atom. Further, any of a hydrogen atom, a
substituted or unsubstituted 1-10C alkyl group, a subsituted or
unsubstituted 1-10C alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted
2-10C heterocyclic group and a halogen atom, especially any of a
hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted 1-5C alkyl group, a
substituted or unsubstituted 1-5C alkoxy group, a substituted or
unsubstituted 2-6C heterocyclic group and a halogen atom, is
preferred as R.sup.21, R.sup.22 and R.sup.3 each. The groups that
R.sup.21, R.sup.22 and R.sup.3 represent may further have
substituents, and examples of such substituents include the group S
mentioned above.
[0060] It is preferable that m is 0 and both R.sup.21 and R.sup.22
are hydrogen atoms, or m is 1 and all of R.sup.21, R.sup.22 and
R.sup.3 are hydrogen atoms. m in formula (2) represents an integer
of 0 or more, preferably an integer of 0 to 5, far preferably an
integer of 0 to 3, particularly preferably an integer of 0 to
2.
[0061] When m is 2 and above, R.sup.3s in formula (2) may be the
same or different and each represent a hydrogen atom or the
above-mentioned substituent independently.
[0062] Z.sup.x+ in formula (2) represents a cation, and x
represents an integer of 1 or greater.
[0063] Examples of a cation represented by Z.sup.x+ include the
cations recited as examples of Q in formula (1). The cations
suitable as Z.sup.x+ are quaternary ammonium ions, preferably the
4,4'-bipyridinium cations represented by formula (I-4) in
JP-A-2000-52658 and the 4,4'-bipyridinium cations disclosed in
JP-A-2000-59652. x in formula (2) is preferably an integer of 1 or
2.
[0064] Dyes represented by the present formula (2) are novel
compounds synthesized by the present Inventors for the first
time.
[0065] Examples of compounds represented by the present formula (1)
or formulae (2) and (6) are illustrated below, but these examples
should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.
##STR8## ##STR9## ##STR10## ##STR11## ##STR12## ##STR13## ##STR14##
##STR15## ##STR16## ##STR17## ##STR18## ##STR19## ##STR20##
##STR21## ##STR22## ##STR23##
[0066] The general oxonol dye part can be synthesized by
condensation reaction between an appropriate active methylene
compound and a methine source (a compound used for introducing a
methine group into a methine dye). For details of compounds of this
kind, JP-A-39-22069, JP-A-43-3504, JP-B-52-38056, JP-B-54-38129,
JP-B-55-10059, JP-B-58-35544, JP-A-49-99620, JP-A-52-92716,
JP-A-59-16834, JP-A-63-316853, JP-A-64-40827, British Patent No.
1,133,986, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,247,127, 4,042,397, 4,181,225,
5,213,956 and 5,260,179 can be referred to.
[0067] As the dyes represented by formulae (3) to (5), those
disclosed in patent documents, e.g., WO 02/080161A2, JP-A-63-209995
and JP-A-2-62279, can be utilized.
[0068] The present dye compounds represented by formula (2) can be
synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme:
##STR24## ##STR25## ##STR26##
[0069] Incidentally, a dye part having a higher number of
chromophores than the dye part 3-II can be obtained by using the
linkage part 2-I prepared under the scheme (2) in place of Compound
1-I in the reaction between Compound 3-I and Compound 1-I.
##STR27##
[0070] The present dye compounds represented by formula (2) may be
used alone or as combinations of two or more thereof. In addition,
these dye compounds relating to the invention may be used in
combination with other dye compounds.
[0071] The present information-recording medium is not particularly
restricted except that it has a recording layer containing a dye
compound represented by formula (2). When it is applied to CD-R,
however, the present optical information-recording medium is
preferred to have a structure that the recording layer containing a
dye compound represented by formula (1), a light reflecting layer
and a protective layer are provided in order of mention on a
1.2.+-.0.2 mm-thick transparent disk-shape substrate wherein are
formed a pregroove having a track pitch of 1.4 .mu.m to 1.8 .mu.m.
On the other hand, when the present recording medium is applied to
DVD-R, the following are two preferred embodiments thereof:
[0072] (i) An optical information-recording medium made up of two
laminates, which each have a recording layer containing a dye
compound represented by formula (1) and a light reflecting layer on
a 0.6.+-.0.1 mm-thick transparent disk-shape substrate having a
pregroove formed with a track pitch of 0.6 to 0.9 .mu.m, bonded
together with the recording layers inside so as to have a total
thickness of 1.2.+-.0.2 mm.
[0073] (ii) An optical information-recording formed by bonding a
laminate made up of a 0.6.+-.0.1 mm-thick transparent disk-shape
substrate having a pregroove formed with a track pitch of 0.6 to
0.9 .mu.m, a recording layer containing a dye compound represented
by formula (1) and a light reflecting layer to a disk-shape
protective plate having the same dimensions as the laminate with
the recording layer inside so as to have a total thickness of
1.2.+-.0.2 mm. Incidentally, the optical information-recording
media of DVD-R type can have structures that protective layers are
further provided on the irrespective light reflecting layers.
[0074] The present information-recording medium can be produced
using, e.g., the methods as described below. The substrate of the
present medium (including the protective substrate also) can be
arbitrarily selected from various materials hitherto used for
substrates of information-recording media. Examples of a substrate
material usable herein include glass, polycarbonate, acrylic resins
such as polymethyl methacrylate, vinyl chloride resins such as
polyvinyl chloride and vinyl chloride copolymers, epoxy resin,
amorphous polyolefin and polyester. These materials may be used in
combination of two or more thereof, if desired. Incidentally, they
may be used in the form of film or rigid plate. Of those materials,
polycarbonate is preferred over the others from the viewpoints of
moisture resistance, dimensional stability and price.
[0075] On the side of the substrate surface where the recording
layer is provided, a subbing layer may be coated for the purposes
of improvements in flatness and adhesiveness and prevention of
deterioration. Examples of a material for forming the subbing layer
include macromolecular substances, such as polymethyl methacrylate,
acrylic acid-methacrylic acid copolymer, styrene-maleic acid
anhydride copolymer, polyvinyl alcohol, N-methylolacrylamide,
styrene-vinyltoluene copolymer, chlorosulfonated polyethylene,
nitrocellulose, polyvinyl chloride, chlorinated polyolefin,
polyester, polyimide, vinyl acetate-vinyl chloride copolymer,
ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyethylene, polypropylene and
polycarbonate; and surface modifiers such as silane coupling
agents. In forming the subbing layer, a coating composition is
prepared first by dissolving or dispersing a substance as recited
above in an appropriate solvent, and then applied to a substrate
surface in accordance with a coating method such as spin coating,
dip coating or extrusion coating.
[0076] Further, a tracking groove or asperity representing
information such as address signals (pregroove) is formed on the
substrate (or the subbing layer). It is preferable that the
pregroove is formed directly on the substrate with the foregoing
track pitch at the time of injection or extrusion molding of a
resin material such as polycarbonate. Alternatively, the pregroove
may be formed by providing a pregroove layer. As a material for the
pregroove layer, a mixture of at least one monomer (or oligomer)
chosen from monoesters, diesters, triesters or tetraesters of
acrylic acid with a photo-polymerization initiator can be used. The
pregroove layer can be formed, e.g., in the following manner:
Firstly a solution of the foregoing mixture of an acrylic acid
ester and a photo-polymerization initiator is coated on a precisely
formed matrix (stamper), and then a substrate is mounted on the
coating solution layer and irradiated with ultraviolet rays via the
substrate or the stamper, thereby curing the coating layer and
fixing the substrate to the coating layer. Thereafter, the
substrate is peeled from the stamper.
[0077] On the pregroove-formed surface of the substrate (or the
subbing layer), a recording layer containing the dye as defined in
(1), preferably the present dye compound represented by formula
(1), is provided.
[0078] The recording layer can further contain various types of
discoloration inhibitors for the purpose of obtaining an
improvement in light resistance. The representatives of
discoloration inhibitors usable therein include the metal
complexes, the diimmonium salts and the aminium salts represented
by formulae (III), (IV) and (V) respectively in JP-A-3-224793, the
nitroso compounds disclosed in JP-A-2-300288, and the TCNQ
derivatives disclosed in JP-A-10-151861.
[0079] The recording layer can be formed by dissolving the present
dye and, if needed, a quencher and a binder in a solvent to prepare
a coating solution, coating the coating solution on a substrate
surface to form a coating layer, and then drying the coating layer.
Examples of a solvent of the coating solution used for forming the
dye recording layer include esters, such as butyl acetate, ethyl
lactate and cellosolve acetate; ketones, such as methyl ethyl
ketone, cyclohexanone and methyl isobutyl ketone; chlorinated
hydrocarbons, such as dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane and
chloroform; amides, such as dimethylformamide; hydrocarbons, such
as cyclohexane; ethers, such as tetrahydrofuran, ethyl ether and
dioxane; alcohol compounds, such as ethanol, n-propanol,
isopropanol, n-butanol and diacetone alcohol; fluorine-containing
solvents, such as 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropanol; and glycol ethers,
such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl
ether and propylene glycol monomethyl ether. These solvents can be
used alone or as combinations of two or more thereof with
consideration for solubility of compounds to be dissolved therein.
To the coating solution, various additives including an
antioxidant, a UV absorber, a plasticizer and a lubricant may
further be added according to the desired purposes.
[0080] Examples of a binder usable in the recording layer include
naturally occurring organic macromolecular substances, such as
gelatin, cellulose derivatives, dextran, rosin and rubber; and
synthetic organic polymers, such as hydrocarbon resins (e.g.,
polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyisobutylene), vinyl
resins (e.g., polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, vinyl
chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer), acrylic resins (e.g., polymethyl
acrylate, polymethyl methacrylate), polyvinyl alcohol, chlorinated
polyethylene, epoxy resin, butyral resin, rubber derivatives, and
initial condensation products of thermosetting resins such as
phenol-formaldehyde resin. When such a binder is used as a
constituent material of the recording layer in combination with the
present dye, the amount of the binder used is generally from 0.01
to 50 times (by weight), preferably from 0.1 to 5 times (by
weight), that of the dye used. The dye concentration in the thus
prepared coating solution is generally from 0.01 to 10 weight %,
preferably from 0.1 to 5 weight %.
[0081] Examples of a coating method applicable herein include a
spray method, a spin coating method, a dip method, a roll coating
method, a blade coating method, a doctor roll method and a screen
printing method. The recording layer may be a single layer or a
double layer. The thickness of the recording layer is generally
from 20 to 500 nm, preferably from 50 to 300 nm.
[0082] On the recording layer, a reflective layer is provided for
the purpose of improving the reflectivity at the time of
information reproduction. The light-reflecting substance as a
constituent material of the reflective layer is a substance having
a high laser-light reflectivity, with examples including metals or
semimetals, such as Mg, Se, Y, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W,
Mn, Re, Fe, Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Zn, Cd, Al, Ga,
In, Si, Ge, Te, Pb, Po, Sn and Bi; and stainless steel. Of these
substances, Cr, Ni, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Al and stainless steel are
preferred over the others, and Ag in particular is advantageous.
These substances may be used alone, or as combinations or alloys of
two or more thereof. The reflective layer can be formed on the
recording layer by vapor deposition, sputtering or ion-plating of a
reflective substance as recited above. The thickness of the
reflective layer is generally from 10 to 300 nm, preferably from 50
to 200 nm.
[0083] On the reflective layer, a protective layer may be provided
for the purpose of protecting the recording layer from physical and
chemical damages. For the purpose of enhancing scratch resistance
and moisture resistance, such a protective layer may also be
provided on the side of the substrate where the recording layer is
not provided. Examples of a substance usable for the protective
layer include inorganic substances, such as SiO, SiO.sub.2,
MgF.sub.2, SnO.sub.2 and Si.sub.3N.sub.4; and organic substances,
such as thermoplastic resins, thermosetting resins and UV-curable
resins. The protective layer can be formed by laminating a
substance as recited above on the reflective layer and/or the
substrate via an adhesive layer such as a film obtained by
extrusion of plastic. Alternatively, the protective layer may be
formed using a vacuum deposition, sputtering or coating method. In
the case of using a thermoplastic resin or a thermosetting resin,
the protective layer can be formed by dissolving the resin in an
appropriate solvent to prepare a coating solution, coating the
coating solution and then drying the solution coated. In the case
of a UV-curable resin, the protective layer is formed by coating
the resin as it is or a solution prepared by dissolving the resin
in an appropriate solvent, and then irradiating the coating with UV
rays to cure the resin. To those coating solutions, various
additives, such as an antistatic agent, an antioxidant and a UV
absorber, may further be added according to the desired purposes.
The thickness of the protective layer is generally from 0.1 to 100
.mu.m. Through the process mentioned above, a laminate having on
the substrate the recording layer, the reflective layer and, if
needed, the protective layer can be formed. And a DVD-R
information-recording medium having two recording layers can be
produced by forming two laminates through the foregoing process and
bonding them together with their respective recording layers
inside. In addition, a DVD-R information-recording medium having
the recording layer on one side alone can be produced by bonding
one laminate formed through the above process to a disk-shape
protective substrate having the same dimensions as the substrate of
the laminate with the recording layer inside.
[0084] In the invention, recording of information on the thus
produced information-recording media is performed, e.g., in the
following manner. While rotating an information-recording medium at
a constant linear velocity or a constant angular velocity, laser
light for recording, such as semiconductor laser light, is applied
to the information-recording medium from the substrate side. By
this exposure to laser light, it is thought that cavities are
formed at the interface between the recording layer and the
reflective layer (the cavity formation occurs as the recording
layer or the reflective layer, or both of them undergo
deformation), or swelling deformations are caused in the substrate,
or discoloration or change of association state is caused in the
recording layer, and thereby changes in refractive index are
achieved to result in recording of information. As the recording
light, semiconductor laser beams having oscillation wavelengths in
the range of 770 to 790 nm are used in the case of CD-R type of
recording media, and those having oscillation wavelengths in the
range of 600 to 700 nm (preferably 620 to 680 nm, far preferably
630 to 660 nm) are used in the case of DVD-R type of recording
media. The information thus recorded can be reproduced by
irradiating the substrate side of the information-recording medium
with semiconductor laser light having the same wavelength as the
light used at the time of recording while rotating the recording
medium at the same constant linear velocity as set for the
recording, and detecting the light reflected from the recording
medium.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
Synthesis of Compound (3):
[0085] The present compound was synthesized in accordance with the
reaction scheme illustrated hereinbefore.
[Synthesis of Linkage Part (Compound (1-I))]
[0086] 1,4-Cyclohexanedione (22.43 g, 0.2 mol) and malonic acid
(41.62 g, 0.4 mol) were dissolved in acetic anhydride (85 ml), and
thereto concentrated sulfuric acid (7.0 ml, 0.12 mol) was added.
The resulting admixture was stirred in an ice bath. As the reaction
progressed, light brown crystals separated out. These crystals were
filtered off, washed with ice-cold distilled water, and dried.
Thus, 8.8 g of the intended Compound (1-I) was obtained as light
brown crystals (in a 15.5% yield.
[Synthesis of Dye Part (Compound (3-II))]
[0087] Malonic acid (5.2 g, 0.05 mol) and concentrated sulfuric
acid (0.5 ml) were added to acetic anhydride (10 ml), and therein
the source compound was dissolved thoroughly while stirring at room
temperature. Thereto, 4-ethylcyclohexanone (6.31 g, 0.05 mol) was
slowly added dropwise while cooling in an ice bath. The stirring of
the admixture was continued in an ice bath, and colorless crystals
separated out as the reaction progressed. These crystals were
filtered off, washed with distilled water, and dried. Thus, 9.0 g
of a meldrum's acid derivative was obtained as colorless crystals
(in a 85.1% yield). The thus obtained meldrum's acid derivative
(4.25 g, 0.02 mol) and N,N'-1,3-pentadiene-1-yl-5-ylidenedianiline
hydrochloride (5.70 g, 0.02 mol) were dissolved in methanol (50
ml), and thereto triethylamine (3.04 g, 0.03 mol) was added. The
stirring of the resulting admixture was continued at room
temperature to result in deposition of violet crystals. Then, these
crystals were filtered off, and washed with methanol. Thus, 5.61 g
of violet crystals corresponding to Compound (3-I) was obtained (in
a 76.3% yield). These violet crystals (4.40 g, 12.0 mmol) and the
Compound (1-I) obtained in the foregoing Synthesis (1.71 g, 6.0
mmol) were dissolved in dimethylformamide (20 ml), and thereto
triethylamine (1.82 g, 18 mmol) was added dropwise. The resulting
admixture was stirred for 4 hours at 50.degree. C. Thereafter, the
reaction solution obtained was admixed with distilled water, and
extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer thus extracted was
purified by column chromatography (dichloromethane/methanol=6/1) on
silica gel to give 2.0 g of violet powder corresponding to Compound
(3-II) (in a 39.5% yield).
[Synthesis of Dye Compound]
[0088] The violet powder (1.24 g, 1.48 mmol) obtained in the
foregoing Synthesis was dissolved into dimethylformamide in a
minimum amount required for dissolution, and thereto Compound C
used as a counter cation was added at room temperature with
stirring. The stirring was continued to result in deposition of
gold powder. So the gold powder was filtered off, thereby giving
0.95 g of the desired Compound (3) as gold (in a 48.3% yield).
##STR28##
[0089] The molecular structure of the thus obtained gold powder was
confirmed by .sup.1H-NMR.
[0090] .sup.1H-NMR (DMSO-d.sub.6): 0.84(t, 6H), 1.20(m. 10H),
1.62(m. 8H), 1.96-2.14(m, 12H), 7.11(m. 4H), 7.24(d, 2H),
7.34-7.77(m, 18H), 7.90(d, 2H), 9.00(d, 4H), 9.65(d, 4H), 10.71(s,
2H)
Example 2
Syntheses of Compounds (1), (13) and (14):
[0091] Synthesis was carried out under the same reaction scheme as
the synthesis of Compound (3) in Example 1, except for the scheme
(3) wherein cyclohexanone was used in place of
4-ethylcyclohexanone; as a result, the purification by column
chromatography on silica gel in the scheme (3) effected resolution
into the compound corresponding to the dye anion of Compound (1)
and the compound corresponding to the dye anion common to Compounds
(13) and (14). And in the scheme (4), the thus resolved compounds
corresponding to the dye anions were converted into their
respective salts, thereby giving the desired Compound (1), Compound
(13) and Compound (14).
[0092] .sup.1H-NMR (DMSO-d.sub.6) of Compound (1): 1.40(s, 4H),
1.54(s, 8H), 1.83 (s, 8H), 1.98(s, 8H), 7.09-7.79(m, 24H), 7.92(s,
2H), 9.00(s, 4H), 9.69(s, 4H)
[0093] .sup.1H-NMR (DMSO-d.sub.6) of Compounds (13): 1.41(s, 4H),
1.53(s, 8H), 1.82(s, 8H), 1.98 (s, 24H), 7.13(t, 8H), 7.27(d, 4H),
7.38-7.79(m, 40H), 7.91(s, 4H), 9.01(d, 8H), 9.67(d, 8H), 10.74(s,
4H)
Example 3
Synthesis of Compound (2):
[0094] Compound (2) was synthesized under the same reaction scheme
as Compound (3) in Example 1, except that 4-methylcyclohexanone was
used in place of 4-ethylcyclohexanone.
[0095] .sup.1H-NMR (DMSO-d.sub.6): 0.91(d, 6H), 1.20(q, 4H),
1.47(s, 2H), 1.65(m, 8H), 2.01(m, 12H), 7.10(q, 4H), 7.28(d, 2H),
7.39-7.86(m, 18H), 7.89(s, 2H), 9.01(d, 4H), 9.67(d, 4H), 10.71(s,
2H)
Example 4
Synthesis of Compound (4):
[0096] Compound (4) was synthesized under the same reaction scheme
as Compound (3) in Example 1, except that menthone was used in
place of 4-ethylcyclohexanone.
[0097] .sup.1H-NMR (DMSO-d.sub.6): 0.81(t, 12H), 0.90(d, 8H),
1.21(t, 2H), 1.41(s, 4H), 1.61(t, 4H), 1.72(d, 2H), 1.97(s, 8H),
2.18(d, 4H), 7.12(q, 4H), 7.24(d, 2H), 7.38-7.78(m, 18H), 7.90(s,
2H), 9.01(d, 4H), 9.68(d, 4H).sub., 10.71(s, 2H)
Example 5
Synthesis of Compound (5):
[0098] Compound (5) was synthesized under the same reaction scheme
as Compound (3) in Example 1, except that
3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexanone was used in place of
4-ethylcyclohexanone.
[0099] .sup.1H-NMR (DMSO-d.sub.6): 0.89(t, 12H), 0.97(s, 6H),
1.19(t, 2H), 1.40(m, 4H), 1.89-1.98(m, 16H), 7.11(m, 4H), 7.26(d,
2H), 7.40(d, 2H), 7.49(m, 6H), 7.60(t, 4H), 7.70(m, 6H), 7.90(s,
2H), 9.00(s, 4H), 9.67(s, 4H), 10.72(s, 2H)
Example 6
Synthesis of Compound (6):
[0100] Compound (6) was synthesized under the same reaction scheme
as Compound (3) in Example 1, except that methyl ethyl ketone was
used in place of 4-ethylcyclohexanone.
[0101] .sup.1H-NMR (DMSO-d.sub.6): 0.95(t, 6H), 1.53(s, 6H),
1.81(t, 4H), 1.99(s, 8H), 7.11(q, 4H), 7.26(d, 2H), 7.39-7.77(m,
18H), 7.89(s, 2H), 9.00(d, 4H), 9.67(d, 4H), 10.69(s, 2H)
Example 7
Synthesis of Compound (7):
[0102] Compound (7) was synthesized under the same reaction scheme
as Compound (3) in Example 1, except that 3,3-dimethyl-2-butanone
was used in place of 4-ethylcyclohexanone.
[0103] .sup.1H-NMR (DMSO-d.sub.6): 1.10(s, 18H), 1.51(s, 6H),
1.98(s, 8H), 7.14(q, 4H), 7.28(d, 2H), 7.38-7.78(m, 18H), 7.90(s,
2H), 9.01(d, 4H), 9.79(d, 4H), 10.71(s, 2H)
Example 8
Synthesis of Compound (8):
[0104] Compound (8) was synthesized under the same reaction scheme
as Compound (3) in Example 1, except that 2-methyl-3-pentanone was
used in place of 4-ethylcyclohexanone.
[0105] .sup.1H-NMR (DMSO-d.sub.6): 0.90(m, 18H), 1.83(q, 4H),
2.00(s, 8H), 2.15(m, 2H), 7.11(q, 4H), 7.26(d, 2H), 7.38-7.75(m,
18H), 7.90(s, 2H), 9.01(d, 4H), 9.68(d, 4H), 10.70(s, 2H)
Example 9
Synthesis of Compound (9):
[0106] Compound (9) was synthesized under the same reaction scheme
as Compound (3) in Example 1, except that diethyl ketone was used
in place of 4-ethylcyclohexanone.
[0107] .sup.1H-NMR (DMSO-d.sub.6): 0.85(t, 12H), 1.84(q, 8H),
2.00(s, 8H), 7.11(q, 4H), 7.26(d, 2H), 7.32-7.78(m, 18H), 7.89(s,
2H), 9.00(d, 4H), 9.66(d, 2H), 10.701(s, 2H)
Example 10
Synthesis of Compound (10):
[0108] Compound (10) was synthesized under the same reaction scheme
as Compound (3) in Example 1, except that 2-pentanone was used in
place of 4-ethylcyclohexanone.
[0109] .sup.1H-NMR (DMSO-d.sub.6): 0.90 (t, 6H), 1.39 (m, 4H), 1.45
(s, 6H), 1.77 (m, 4H), 1.98(s, 8H), 7.10(q, 4H), 7.27(d, 2H),
7.40-7.80(m, 18H), 7.91(s, 2H), 9.05(d, 4H), 9.65(d, 4H), 10.72(s,
2H)
Example 11
Synthesis of Compound (11):
[0110] Compound (11) was synthesized under the same reaction scheme
as Compound (3) in Example 1, except that 3-methylcyclohexanone was
used in place of 4-ethylcyclohexanone.
[0111] .sup.1H-NMR (DMSO-d.sub.6): 0.98(m, 8H), 1.28(t, 2H),
1.50-1.65(m, 10H), 1.96-2.08(m, 12H), 7.11(m, 4H), 7.25(d, 2H),
7.38-7.73(m, 18H), 7.90(s, 2H), 9.00(s, 4H), 9.66(s, 4H), 10.70(s,
2H)
Example 12
Synthesis of Compound (12):
[0112] Compound (12) was synthesized under the same reaction scheme
as Compound (3) in Example 1, except that cyclohexanone was used in
place of 4-ethylcyclohexanone and
3-methyl-N,N'-1,5-heptadiene-1-yl-7-ylidenedianiline hydrochloride
was used in place of N,N'-1,3-pentadiene-1-yl-5-ylidenedianiline
hydrochloride.
[0113] .sup.1H-NMR (DMSO-d.sub.6): 1.41 (s, 4H), 1.58(s, 8H), 1.82
(s, 8H), 1.99(s, 8H), 1.99(s, 8H), 2.17(s, 6H), 7.24-7.48(m, 12H),
7.69-7.99(m, 12H), 9.00(s, 4H), 9.68(s, 4H), 10.71(s, 2H)
Example 13
Evaluation of Optical Constant:
[0114] Optical characteristic values of the present dye compounds
each (the real part n and the imaginary part k of a complex
refractive index) were evaluated by reflex spectroscopic
ellipsometry. As each sample for making evaluations of optical
characteristics by use of the spectroscopic ellipsometry, a spin
coating film formed on a glass substrate was adopted. This spin
coating film was formed by dissolving each dye compound into
2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropanol so that the solution concentration
reached 25 mM and casting this solution on a spinning glass
substrate.
[Formation of Spin Coaing Film containing Comparative Compound
(1)]
[0115] As a comparative example, a spin coating film was formed
from a comparative compound (1) having the following structure and
ensuring satisfactory recording characteristics in the recording at
equivalent speed. ##STR29##
[0116] Optical characteristics of the spin coating films formed
from the present Compounds (1) and (3) to (14) respectively were
evaluated, and n and k values at 660 nm were determined from the
evaluation results obtained. These values are shown in Table 1.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Compound n k Compound (1) 2.24 0.055
Compound (3) 2.23 0.054 Compound (4) 2.20 0.040 Compound (5) 2.20
0.038 Compound (6) 2.27 0.040 Compound (7) 2.22 0.041 Compound (8)
2.24 0.040 Compound (9) 2.25 0.047 Compound (10) 2.26 0.051
Compound (11) 2.21 0.035 Compound (12) 2.21 0.051 Compound (13)
2.40 0.056 Compound (14) 2.30 0.050 Comparative Compound (1) 2.08
0.051
[0117] In the next place, examples of an optical
information-recording medium are shown.
Example 14
[Preparation of Optical Recording Medium]
[0118] By extrusion molding, polycarbonate resin was formed into a
0.6 mm-thick, 120 mm-dia substrate having a spiral groove (depth:
130 nm, width: 310 nm, track pitch: 0.74 .mu.m).
[0119] The present Compound (6) in an amount of 1.25 g was
dissolved into 100 ml of 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropanol to prepare a
coating solution. This coating solution was coated on the
pregroove-formed surface of the substrate by use of a spin coating
method, thereby forming a dye layer.
[0120] Onto the dye-coated surface, silver was sputtered to form a
reflective layer having a thickness of about 150 nm. And the
reflective layer thus formed was bonded to a 0.6 mm-thick dummy
substrate by use of a UV-curable resin (Daicureclear SD640,
produced by DAINIPPON INK AND CHEMICALS, INCORPORATED), thereby
forming a disc.
Comparative Example 1
[0121] A disc was formed in the same manner as in Example 14,
except that the Comparative Compound (1) illustrated above was used
in place of the present Compound (6).
Comparative Example 2
[0122] A disc was formed in the same manner as in Example 14,
except that a 6:4 mixture of the Comparative Compound (1) and the
following Comparative Compound (2) was used in place of the present
Compound (6).
[Evaluations of Optical Recording Medium]
[0123] By use of DDU-1000 and a multisignal generator (made by
Pulstec Industrial Co., Ltd.; laser wavelength: 660 nm, aperture
rate: 0.60), 8-16 modulating signals were recorded at each of
equivalent-speed (11.08 Mbps), octuple-speed (88.64 Mbps) and
decuple-speed (110.8 Mbps) transfer rates.
[0124] The recording strategies used are shown in Table 2 and FIG.
1. The equivalent-speed recording and the decuple-speed recording
were each performed using one kind of recording strategy, while the
octuple-speed recording was performed using two kinds of recording
strategies greatly different in pulse width.
[0125] The recording power was set so as to minimize the amount of
jitter in recording on each medium. Thereafter, the signals
recorded were reproduced with laser of the same wavelength as that
used for recording, and therein the amount of jitter was measured.
The results obtained are shown in Table 3.
[0126] The optical recording media prepared in Example 14 had low
jitter in all the equivalent-speed, octuple-speed and decuple-speed
reproductions as well as high reflectivities, compared with those
prepared in Comparative Examples. With respect to the 8.times.
recording characteristics, the medium prepared in Example 14
achieved satisfactory jitter under each of the recording strategies
greatly different in pulse width, compared with the media prepared
in Comparative Examples.
[0127] Further, when the single-frequency of 3T and 14T is recorded
corresponding to duodetuple-speed and hexadetuple-speed, the C/N
ratio, modulation and jitter which are equivalent to those of
equivalent-speed to decuple-speed were obtained. This fact means
that the preferable characteristics are obtained in a case of the
recording speed of at least decuple-speed to hexadetuple-speed or
hexadetuple-speed or more. TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Recording
Strategies Recording Speed 1.times. 8.times. 8.times. 10.times.
Recording Strategy A B C D 3Ttop 1.55 2.55 1.85 2.75 4Ttop 1.50
2.92 2.12 3.20 nTtop 1.55 1.70 1.30 1.90 Tmp 0.65 -- -- -- nTwt --
0.50 -0.30 0.55 nTlp -- 1.40 0.60 1.40 3-nTld -- -0.03 -0.05 -0.03
3Tdtop -- -0.15 -0.05 -0.15 4Tdtop -- 0.20 0.35 0.20 nTdtop -- 0.00
0.00 0.00 5Ttop2 -- -0.15 -0.05 -0.20 5Tlp2 -- -0.10 -0.15 -0.20
5Tdlp2 -- 0.00 0.00 0.00 P0/Pm -- 1.48 1.58 1.36
[0128] TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Evaluation Results of Recording
Characteristics Example 14 Comparative Example 1 Comparative
Example 2 Recording speed 1.times. 8.times. 8.times. 10.times.
1.times. 8.times. 8.times. 10.times. 1.times. 8.times. 8.times.
10.times. Recording strategy A B C D A B c D A B c D Optimum 11
28.5 36.3 33.5 12 29.0 39.0 34.0 7.9 25.5 29.5 29.2 recording power
(mW) Reflectivity 53.2 51.8 52.0 50.9 50 49.1 49.0 48.6 44.5 46.5
44.8 44.4 (%) Jitter (%) 6.1 6.2 6.0 7.2 9.0 13.2 12.0 15.0 8 13.9
6.8 9.0 14T modulation 0.54 0.71 0.77 0.76 0.50 0.72 0.76 0.77 0.50
0.73 0.78 0.77 factor PI error 80 18 11 15 94 40 impossible
impossible 94 impossible 90 120 to measure to measure to measure AR
(%) 50 32 28 25 48 30 32 25 48 28 28 26
[0129] ##STR30##
Example 15
[0130] Optical discs (Sample Nos. 202 to 213) were prepared in the
same manner as the optical disc prepared in Example 14 (Sample No.
201), except that the dye Compound (6) was replaced by the present
dye Compounds (7), (8), (9), (10), (15), (16), (17), (19), (21) and
(22), Comparative Compound (1) and mixture of Comparative Compounds
(1) and (2), respectively, as set forth in Table 4. And
record-playback performances were evaluated by the same method as
in Example 14. The evaluation results thus obtained are shown in
Table 4. It can be seen from Table 4 that the present dyes ensured
higher reflectivity and lower jitter than the comparative compounds
as well as satisfactory modulation factor. TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4
Reflec- 14I Sample tivity Modulation No. Dye (%) Jitter Factor note
201 Compound (6) 50.9 7.2 0.76 invention (Example 14) 202 Compound
(7) 52.0 8.2 0.78 invention 203 Compound (8) 51.2 8.1 0.77
invention 204 Compound (9) 52.2 7.9 0.77 invention 205 Compound
(10) 52.4 8.1 0.78 invention 206 Compound (15) 53.1 7.8 0.77
invention 207 Compound (16) 52.1 7.9 0.76 invention 208 Compound
(17) 53.9 8.4 0.75 invention 209 Compound (19) 52.8 7.6 0.76
invention 210 Compound (21) 52.1 6.8 0.78 invention 211 Compound
(22) 51.6 8.1 0.78 invention 212 Comparative 48.6 15.0 0.77
comparison Compound (1) 213 Mixture of 44.4 9.0 0.77 comparison
Comparative Compounds (1) and (2)
[0131] The invention can provide dyes having complex refractive
indexes great in the real part n and equivalent or small in the
imaginary part k, compared with those of comparative dyes for
low-speed recording use, and can offer an optical
information-recording medium excellent recording characteristics
whether the recording speed is low or high. The entire disclosure
of each and every foreign patent application from which the benefit
of foreign priority has been claimed in the present application is
incorporated herein by reference, as if fully set forth.
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