Heat-sensitive coating compositions based on resorcinyl triazine derivatives

Abstract

The present invention provides heat-sensitive coating compositions, which comprise a color developer of formula (1) or mixtures thereof wherein R1 can be hydrogen, C1-20-alkyl, C3-8-cycloalkyl, C2-10-alkenyl, aryl or SO3H, and R2 and R3 can be the same or different and can be hydrogen, halogen, C1-20-alkyl, C3-8-cyclo-alkyl, C2-10-alkenyl, aryl, OR6, NR7R8, SR9, SO3H or COOR10 and R4 and R5 can be the same or different, and can be hydrogen, halogen, C1-20-alkyl, C3-8-cyclo-alkyl, C2-10-alkenyl, aryl, OR6, NR7R8 or SR9, R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 can be the same or different and can be hydrogen, C1-30-alkyl, C3-8-cycloalkyl, C2-10-alkenyl or aryl, wherein C1-20-alkyl can be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more C3-8-cycloalkyl, C2-10-alkenyl, phenyl, halogen, OR11, NR12R13, SR14, SO3H or COOR15, and aryl can be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more halogen, C1-10-alkyl, halogenated C1-10-alkyl, C3-8-cycloalkyl C2-10-alkenyl, phenyl, OR11, NR12R13, SR14, SO3H or COOR15, wherein R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 can be the same or different and can be hydrogen, C1-10-alkyl, C3-8-cycloalkyl or C2-10-alkenyl, a process for the preparation of these compositions, a process of coating substrates with these compositions, substrates coated with these compositions, a process for preparing marked substrates using these compositions, marked substrates obtainable by the latter process, and certain color developers.

Description

The present invention refers to heat-sensitive coating compositions for marking substrates, to a process for the preparation of these compositions, to a process of coating substrates with these compositions, to substrates coated with these compositions, to a process for preparing marked substrates using these compositions, to marked substrates obtainable by the latter process, and to certain colour developers.

Heat sensitive coatings in which the mechanism of image formation is dependent on the thermal reaction between a colour-forming substance and a colour developer are well known.

Today, such heat-sensitive coatings have many diverse uses that include fax transmissions, Point of Sales (POS) receipts, bank statements, Automated Teller Machine (ATM) printouts, delivery and grocery labels, and transportation, lottery and entertainment tickets.

A common problem with typical heat-sensitive coating compositions used to prepare heat-sensitive coatings is that rapid discolouring occurs upon storage in the wet state at room temperature or slightly elevated temperature. Thus the heat-sensitive coating composition has either to be prepared immediately before use or one of the reactive components has to be modified in some way to render it less reactive, for example through microencapsulation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide heat-sensitive coating compositions, which are storage stable, i.e. only undergo minimal darkening (yellowing) upon storage in the wet state at room temperature or even slightly elevated temperature, and which also provide images of high contrast and of high stability towards heat, oil and light.

This object is solved by the composition of claim 1, the processes of claims 8, 9 and 11, the substrates of claims 10 and 13, and the colour developers of claims 14, 15 and 16.

The coating composition of the present invention comprises a colour developer of formula

or mixtures thereofwherein

• R¹ can be hydrogen, C_1-20-alkyl, C_3-8-cycloalkyl, C_2-10-alkenyl, aryl or SO₃H, and
• R² and R³ can be the same or different and can be hydrogen, halogen, C_1-20-alkyl, C_3-8-cyclo-alkyl, C_2-10-alkenyl, aryl, OR⁶, NR⁷R⁸, SR⁹, SO₃H or COOR¹⁰ and
• R⁴ and R⁵ can be the same or different, and can be hydrogen, halogen, C_1-20-alkyl, C_3-8-cyclo-alkyl, C_2-10-alkenyl, aryl, OR⁶, NR⁷R⁸ or SR⁹,
• R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ can be the same or different and can be hydrogen, C_1-30-alkyl, C_3-8-cycloalkyl, C_2-10-alkenyl or aryl,wherein
• C_1-20-alkyl can be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more C_3-8-cycloalkyl, C_2-10-alkenyl, phenyl, halogen, OR¹¹, NR¹²R¹³, SR¹⁴, SO₃H or COOR¹⁵, andaryl can be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more halogen, C_1-10-alkyl, halogenated C_1-10-alkyl, C_3-8-cycloalkyl, C_2-10-alkenyl, phenyl, OR¹¹, NR¹²R¹³, SR¹⁴, SO₃H or COOR¹⁵,wherein
• R¹¹, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ can be the same or different and can be hydrogen, C_1-10-alkyl, C_3-8-cycloalkyl or C_2-10-alkenyl.

Examples of C_1-10-alkyl are methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl and decyl. Preferably, C_1-10-alkyl is C_1-4-alkyl. C_1-4-alkyl can be methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl or tert-butyl.

An example of a halogenated C_1-10-alkyl is trifluoromethyl.

Examples of C_1-20-alkyl are methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, dodecyl, tetradecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl and eicosyl. Preferably, C_1-20-alkyl is C_1-6-alkyl. C_1-6-alkyl can be methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl or hexyl.

Examples of C_1-30-alkyl are methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, dodecyl, tetradecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, eicosyl, heneicosyl, docosyl, tricosyl, pentacosyl, heptacosyl and triacontyl.

Examples of C_3-8-cycloalkyl are cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl and cyclooctyl.

Examples of C_2-10-alkenyl are allyl, 2-butenyl and 3-hexenyl.

Examples of aryl are phenyl, naphthyl, pyrrolyl and pyridyl. Preferred aryls are phenyl and pyrrolyl.

Halogen can be fluorine, chlorine or bromine.

Examples of colour developers of formula 1 are

In preferred colour developers of formula

• R¹ is hydrogen, C_2-10-alkenyl, aryl or SO₃H, and
• R² and R³ can be the same or different and are hydrogen, C_1-20-alkyl, aryl, OR⁶, NR⁷R⁸, SR⁹, SO₃H or COOR¹⁵ and
• R⁴ and R⁵ can be the same or different, and are hydrogen, C_1-20-alkyl, aryl, OR⁶, NR⁷R⁸ or SR⁹,
• R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ can be the same or different and are hydrogen, C_1-30-alkyl or aryl,wherein
• C_1-20-alkyl can be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more phenyl, OR¹¹, NR¹²R¹³, SR¹⁴, SO₃H or COOR¹⁵, and
• aryl can be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more C_1-10-alkyl, halogenated C_1-10-alkyl, OR¹¹, NR¹²R¹³, SR¹⁴, SO₃H or COOR¹⁵,wherein
• R¹¹, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ can be the same or different and can be hydrogen or C_1-10-alkyl.

In more preferred colour developers of formula

• R¹ is hydrogen and
• R² and R³ can be the same or different and are hydrogen, C_1-20-alkyl, OR⁶ or SO₃H and
• R⁴ and R⁵ can be the same or different, and are C_1-20-alkyl, aryl, OR⁶, NR⁷R⁹ or SR⁹,
• R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ can be the same or different and are hydrogen, C_1-30-alkyl or aryl,wherein
• C_1-20-alkyl is unsubstituted and
• aryl can be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more C_1-10-alkyl, halogenated C_1-10-alkyl, OR¹¹, SO₃H or COOR¹⁵,wherein
• R¹¹ and R¹⁵ can be the same or different and can be hydrogen or C_1-10-alkyl.

In even more preferred colour developers of formula

• R¹ is hydrogen and
• R² and R³ can be the same or different and are hydrogen and
• R⁴ and R⁵ can be the same or different, and are aryl,wherein
• aryl can be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more OR¹¹,wherein
• R¹¹ is hydrogen.

The most preferred colour developer is the colour developer of formula 1p.

Most colour developers of formula 1 are known in the art and/or can be prepared by known methods.

2,4,6-Tris(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-s-triazine (1c), for example, can be prepared by reacting cyanuric chloride with resorcinol as outlined in example 1 of EP 0 941 989 A2. 1q can be prepared in analogy by reacting cyanuric chloride with 2,6-dimethylphenol. 1p can be prepared by the cyclotrimerization of 4-hydroxybenzonitrile according to the procedure of Ninagawa et al Makromol. Chem. 1979, 180, 2123.

2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-s-triazine derivatives such as 1a, 1b, 1d, 1o or 1y can be prepared from the corresponding 2-chloro-s-triazine derivative and resorcinol. 4,6-Diphenyl-2-(2,4-di-hydroxyphenyl)-s-triazine (1a), for example, can be prepared from 4,6-diphenyl-2-chloro-s-triazine and resorcinol as described in example 14 of EP 0941 989 A2; and 4,6-bis(2,4-di-methylphenyl)-2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-s-triazine (1b), for example, can be prepared from 4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-2-chloro-s-triazine and resorcinol as described in example 3 of EP 0 941 989 A2. The preparation of 10 is described in example 23 of DE 1 670 332.

2,4-Bis(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-s-triazine derivatives such as 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i, 1j, 1k, 1l, 1m, 1n, 1r, 1s or 1x can be prepared by reacting the corresponding 2,4-dichloro-s-triazine derivative or 2,4-diphenoxy-s-triazine derivative with resorcinol or substituted resorcinol. 2,4-Bis(2,4-dihydroxy-5-hexylphenyl)-6-phenyl-s-triazine (1g), for example, can be prepared from 2,4-dichloro-6-phenyl-s-triazine and 4-hexylresorcinol as described in example 62 of EP 0 704 437 A2; and 2,4-bis(2,4-di-hydroxyphenyl)-6-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-s-triazine (1i), for example, can be prepared from 2,4-diphenoxy-6-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-s-triazine and resorcinol as described in example 17 of EP 0 941 989 A2. 1s, for example, can be prepared as described in EP 0 165 608 A2 (compound 113, table 1). 1u, for example, can be prepared as described in example 2b of EP 0 949 251 A1. 1x, for example, can be prepared as described in example 2 of EP 0 165 608 A2.

1v can be prepared by as described in Ninagawa et al Makromol. Chem. 1979, 180, 2123.

1w can be prepared by reacting 1b with sulphuric acid at 65 to 70° C.

The coating composition can comprise further colour developers known in the art, but the coating composition can also not include further colour developers beside the colour developer of formula 1 or mixtures thereof.

Examples of further colour developers known in the art are N-(p-toluenesulfonyl)-N′-(3-p-toluenesulfonyloxy)phenyl)urea, 4-hydroxy-4′-isopropoxydiphenyl sulfone and 2,4′-di-hydroxydiphenyl sulfone.

The colour developer of formula 1 or mixtures thereof can be microencapsulated by techniques known in the art, but the colour developer of formula 1 or mixtures thereof can also not be microencapsulated as this is not necessary in order to prevent darkening (yellowing) upon storage in the wet state at room temperature or even slightly elevated temperature.

The coating composition of the present invention can also comprise a colour former or a mixture of colour formers.

The colour former can be any suitable colour former such as a phthalide, a fluoran, a triarylmethane, a benzoxazine, a quinazoline, a spiropyran, a quinone, a thiazine or an oxazine or mixtures thereof.

Examples of phthalides are crystal violet lactone (3,3-bis(ρ-dimethylaminophenyl)-6-dimethyl-aminophtalide), 3,3-bis(ρ-dimethylaminophenyl)phthalide, 3,3-bis(1-ethyl-2-methylindol-3-yl)phthalide, 3,3-bis(1-octyl-2-methylindol-3-yl)phthalide, 3-(4-diethylaminophenyl)-3-(1-ethyl-2-methylindol-3-yl)-phthalide, 7-(N-ethyl-N-isopentylamino)-3-methyl-1-phenyl-spiro[4H-chromeno[2,3-c]pyrazole-4(1H)-3′ phthalide, 3,6,6′-tris(dimethylamino)spiro-[fluorene-9,3′-phthalide], 3,6,6′-tris(diethylamino)spiro[fluorene-9,3′-phthalide], 3,3-bis-[2-(ρ-dimethylaminophenyl)-2-(ρ-methoxyphenyl)ethenyl-4,5,6,7-tetrabromophthalide, 3,3-bis[2-(ρ-dimethylaminophenyl)-2-(ρ-methoxyphenyl)ethenyl-4,5,6,7-tetrachlorophthalide, 3,3-bis[1,1-bis(4-pyrrolidinophenyl)ethylene-2-yl]-4,5,6,7-tetrabromophthalide, 3,3-bis-[1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-(4-pyrridinophenyl)ethylene-2-yl]-4,5,6,7-tetrachlorophthalide, 3-(4-diethylamino-2-ethoxyphenyl)-3-(1-ethyl-2-methylindol-3-yl)-4-azaphthalide, 3-(4-diethylamino-2-ethoxyphenyl)-3-(1-octyl-2-methylindol-3-yl)-4-azaphthalide and 3-(4-cyclo-hexylethylamino-2-methoxyphenyl)-3-(1-ethyl-2-methylindol-3-yl)-4-azaphthalide

The phthalides can be prepared by methods known in the art, for example crystal violet lactone can be prepared as described in GB 1,347,467, and 3,3-bis(1-ethyl-2-methylindol-3-yl)phthalide can be prepared as described in GB 1,389,716.

Examples of fluorans are 3-di(ethyl)amino-6-methyl-7-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)anilinofluoran, 3-diethylamino-7-dibenzylamino)fluoran, 3-dibutylamino-7-dibenzylaminofluoran, 3-diethylamino-6-methyl-7-(dibenzylamino)fluoran, 3-diethylamino-6-methylfluoran, 3-diethylamino-6-chloro-7-methylfluoran, 3-diethylamino-6-methyl-7-chlorofluoran, 3-diethylamino-7-tert-butylfluoran, 3-diethylamino-7-ethylcarboxyfluoran, 3-diethylamino-7-methylfluoran, 3-diethylamino-6,8-dimethylfluoran, 3-diethylamino-7-chlorofluoran, 3-dibutylamino-6-methylfluoran, 3-cyclohexylamino-6-chlorofluoran, 3-diethylamino-benzo[a]fluoran, 3-diethylamino-benzo[c]fluoran, 3-dimethylamino-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran, 3-diethylamino-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran, 3-diethylamino-6-methyl-7-(2,4-dimethylanilino)fluoran, 3-diethylamino-6-methyl-7-(3-trifluoromethylanilino)fluoran, 3-diethylamino-6-methyl-7-(2-chloroanilino)-fluoran, 3-diethylamino-6-methyl-7-(ρ-chloroanilino)fluoran, 3-diethylamino-6-methyl-7-(2-fluoroanilino)fluoran, 3-diethylamino-6-methyl-7-(ρ-octylanilino)fluoran, 3-diethylamino-7-(ρ-octylanilino)fluoran, 3-diethylamino-6-methyl-7-(ρ-methylanilino)fluoran, 3-diethylamino-6-ethoxyethyl-7-anilinofluoran, 3-diethylamino-6-methyl-7-(3-methylanilino)fluoran, 3-diethyl-amino-7-(3-trifluoromethylanilino)fluoran, 3-diethylamino-7-(2-chloroanilino)fluoran, 3-diethyl-amino-7-(2-fluoroanilino)fluoran, 3-diethylamino-6-chloro-7-anilinofluoran, 3-dibutylamino-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran, 3-dibutylamino-6-methyl-7-(2,4-dimethylanilino)fluoran, 3-dibutylamino-6-methyl-7-(2-chloroanilino)fluoran, 3-dibutylamino-6-methyl-7-(4-chloroanilino)-fluoran, 3-dibutylamino-6-methyl-7-(2-fluoroanilino)fluoran, 3-dibutylamino-6-methyl-7-(3-tri-fluoromethylanilino)fluoran, 3-dibutylamino-6-ethoxyethyl-7-anilinofluoran, 3-dibutylamino-6-chloro-anilinofluoran, 3-dibutylamino-6-methyl-7-(4-methylanilino)fluoran, 3-dibutylamino-7-(2-chloroanilino)fluoran, 3-dibutylamino-7-(2-fluoroanilino)fluoran, 3-dipentylamino-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran, 3-dipentylamino-6-methyl-7-(4-2-chloroanilino)fluoran, 3-dipentylamino-7-(3-trifluoromethylanilino)fluoran, 3-dipentylamino-6-chloro-7-anilinofluoran, 3-dipentylamino-7-(4-chloroanilino)fluoran, 3-pyrrolidino-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran, 3-piperidino-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran, 3-(N-methyl-N-propylamino)-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran, 3-(N-methyl-N-cyclohexylamino)-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran, 3-(N-ethyl-N-cyclohexylamino)-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran, 3-(N-ethyl-N-hexylamino)-7-anilinofluoran, 3-(N-ethyl-ρ-toluidino)-amino-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran, 3-(N-ethyl-ρ-toluidino)amino-7-methylfluoran, 3-(N-ethyl-N-isoamylamino)-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran, 3-(N-ethyl-N-isoamylamino)-7-(2-chloroanilino)-fluoran, 3-(N-ethyl-N-isoamylamino)-6-chloro-7-anilinofluoran, 3-(N-ethyl-N-tetrahydrofurfuryl-amino)-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran, 3-(N-ethyl-N-isobutylamino)-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran, 3-(N-butyl-N-isoamylamino)-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran, 3-(N-isopropyl-N-3-pentylamino)-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran, 3-(N-ethyl-N-ethoxypropylamino)-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran, 2-methyl-6-ρ-(ρ-dimethylaminophenyl)aminoanilinofluoran, 2-methoxy-6-ρ-(ρ-dimethyl-aminophenyl)aminoanilinofluoran, 2-chloro-3-methyl-6-ρ-(ρ-phenylaminophenyl)aminoanilinofluoran, 2-diethylamino-6-ρ-(ρ-dimethylaminophenyl)aminoanilinofluoran, 2-phenyl-6-methyl-6-ρ-(ρ-phenylaminophenyl)aminoanilinofluoran, 2-benzyl-6-ρ-(ρ-phenylamino-phenyl)aminoanilinofluoran, 3-methyl-6-ρ-(ρ-dimethylaminophenyl)aminoanilinofluoran, 3-diethylamino-6-ρ-(ρ-diethylaminophenyl)aminoanilinofluoran, 3-diethylamino-6-ρ-(ρ-dibutyl-aminophenyl)aminoanilinofluoran and 2,4-dimethyl-6-[(4-dimethylamino)anilino]fluoran.

The fluorans can be prepared by methods known in the art, for example 3-diethylamino-7-di-benzylaminofluoran, 3-diethylamino-7-tert-butylfluoran, 3-diethylamino-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran and 3-diethylamino-6-methyl-7-(2,4-dimethylanilino)fluoran and can be prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,166,350 A, 3-diethylamino-6-methyl-7-(3-methylanilino)fluoran can be prepared as described in EP 0 546 577 A1,3-diethylamino-6-chloro-7-anilinofluoran can be prepared as described in DE 2130845, 3-pyrrolidino-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran and 3-piperidino-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran can be prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,959,571 A, 3-(N-ethyl-N-isoamylamino)-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran can be prepared as described in GB 2 002 801 A, and 3-(N-methyl-N-propylamino)-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran can be prepared as described in GB 2 154 597 A.

Examples of benzoxazines are 2-phenyl-4-(4-diethylaminophenyl)-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-6-methyl-7-dimethylamino-3,1-benzoxazine, which can be prepared as described in EP 0 187 329 A1, and 2-phenyl-4-(4-diethylaminophenyl)-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-8-methyl-7-dimethylamino-3,1-benzoxazine.

An example of a quinazoline is 4,4′41-methylethylidene)bis(4,1-phenyleneoxy-4,2-quina-zolinediyl)]bis[N,N-diethylbenzeneamine]. An example of a triarylmethane is bis(N-methyldi-phenylamine)-4-yl-(N-butylcarbazole)-3-yl-methane, which can be prepared as described in GB 1,548,059.

Examples of spiropyrans are 1′,3′,3′-trimethylspiro[2H-1-benzopyran-2,2′-indoline], 1,3,3-tri-methylspiro[indoline-2,3′-[3H]naphth[2,1-b][1,4]oxazine] and 1′,3′,3′-trimethylspiro-[2H-1-benzothiopyran-2,2′-indoline].

An example of a quinone is hematoxyline. An example of an oxazine is 3,7-bis(dimethyl-amino)-10-benzoylphenoxazine. An example of a thiazine is 3,7-bis(dimethylamino)-10-benzoylphenothiazine.

Preferably, the colour former is a phthalide or a fluoran or mixtures thereof.

More preferably, the colour former is 3,3-bis(1-octyl-2-methylindol-3-yl)phthalide as sold for example under the tradename Ciba® Pergascript® Red 1-6B, 3-dibutylamino-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran as sold for example under the tradename Ciba® Pergascript® Black T-2R or 3-diethylamino-7-ethylcarboxyfluoran as sold for example under the tradename Ciba® Pergascript® Black I-R.

The coating composition can also comprise a binder or a mixture of binders.

Examples of binders are polyvinyl alcohol (fully or partially hydrolysed), sulfonated-polyvinyl alcohol, carboxy-modified polyvinyl alcohol, acetoacetyl-modified polyvinyl alcohol, diacetone-modified polyvinyl alcohol, silicon-modified polyvinyl alcohol, oxidised starch, gelatine, caesin, derivatives of cellulose such as hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose and acetyl cellulose, starch-vinyl acetate graft copolymers, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers, methyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymers, isopropylene-maleic anhydride copolymers and like water-soluble resins, styrene-butadiene latex, acrylic latex, urethane latex and like water-dispersible resins and mixtures thereof.

Preferred binders are polyvinyl alcohol (fully or partially hydrolysed), sulfonated-polyvinyl alcohol and acrylic latex and mixtures thereof. More preferably, the binder is polyvinyl alcohol.

The coating composition can comprise an aqueous medium. Usually the aqueous medium is water or a mixture of water and a water-miscible organic solvent. Preferably, the aqueous medium is water.

Examples of water-miscible organic solvents are C_1-4-alkanols, C_2-4-polyols, C_3-6-ketones, C_4-6-ethers, C_2-3-nitriles, nitromethane, dimethylsulfoxide, dimethylformamide, dimethyl-acetamide, N-methylpyrolidone and sulfolane, whereby C_1-4-alkanols and C_2-4-polyols may be substituted with C_1-4-alkoxy. Examples of C_1-4-alkanols are methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, isobutanol, sec-butanol and tert-butanol. Examples of C_1-4-alkoxy-derivatives thereof are 2-ethoxyethanol and 1-methoxy-2-propanol. Examples of C_2-4-polyols are glycol and glycerol. Examples of C_3-6-ketones are acetone and methyl ethyl ketone. Examples of C_4-6-ethers are dimethoxyethane, diisopropylether and tetrahydrofurane. An example of a C_2-3-nitrile is acetonitrile. Ethanol and isopropanol are preferred water-miscible organic solvents.

The coating composition can comprise a dispersing agent. Example of a dispersing agent are sodium naphthalene sulfonate, polymer with formaldehyde, and polyacrylic acid, sodium salt as sold for example under the tradename Ciba® Dispex® N40.

The coating composition can comprise a surfactant. Examples of surfactants are sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate, sodium dodecybenzenesulfonate, sodium lauryl sulfate, fatty acid metal salts and 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-dec-5-in-4,7-diol (sold for example under the tradename Surfynol® 104).

The coating composition can also comprise additional components such as sensitizers, lubricants, pigments, stabilizers, insolubilisers, fluorescent whitening agents, wetting agents, IR absorbers, UV absorbers, antifoaming agents, fluorescent dyes, fluorescent pigment and tinting dyes.

Examples of sensitiser are benzyloxynaphthylene, stearamide, methylol stearamide, p-benzylbiphenyl, m-terphenyl, benzyl-2-naphthyl ether, 4-methoxybiphenyl, dibenzyl oxalate, di(4-methylbenzyl) oxalate, di(4-chlorobenzyl) oxalate, dimethyl terephthalate, dibenzyl terephthalate, dibenzyl isophthalate, 1,2-diphenoxyethane, 1,2-bis(4-methyl-phenoxy)ethane, 1,2-bis(3-methylphenoxy)ethane, 4,4′-dimethylbiphenyl, phenyl-1-hydroxy-2-naphthoate, 4-methylphenyl biphenyl ether, 1,2-bis(3,4-dimethylphenyl)ethane, 1,4-di-ethoxynaphthalene, o-xylylene-bis(phenyl ether), 4-(m-methylphenoxymethyl) biphenyl, p-hydroxyacetanilide, p-hydroxybutyranilide, p-hydroxynonananilide, p-hydroxylauranilide, p-hydroxyoctadecananilide, N-phenyl-phenylsulfonamide and 2-phenoxyethyl-N-phenyl-carbamate. A preferred sensitizer is benzyloxynaphthylene.

Examples of lubricants are stearamide, methylene bis stearamide, polyethylene wax, carnauba wax, paraffin wax, zinc stearate, calcium stearate and mixtures thereof. A preferred lubricant is zinc stearate.

Examples of pigments are ground calcium carbonate, precipitated calcium carbonate, kaolin, calcined kaolin, aluminium hydroxide, talc, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, amorphous silica, barium sulfate, polystyrene resin, urea-formaldehyde resin, hollow plastic pigment and mixtures thereof. Preferred pigments are ground calcium carbonate, precipitated calcium carbonate, amorphous silica and aluminium hydroxide. Calcium carbonate is the preferred pigment.

Examples of stabilisers are 2,2′-methylene-bis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol), 2,2′-methylene-bis(4-ethyl-6-tert-butylphenol), 4,4′-butylidene-bis(3-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol), 4,4′-thio-bis(2-tert-butyl-5-methylphenol), 1,1,3-tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-tert-butylphenyl) butane, 1,1,3-tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-cyclohexylphenyl) butane, bis(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-6-methylphenyl) sulfone, bis(3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl) sulfone, 4,4′-sulfinyl bis(2-tert-butyl-5-methylphenol), 2,2′-methylene bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate and alkali metal, ammonium and polyvalent metal salts thereof, 4-benzyloxy-4′-(2-methylglycidyloxy) diphenyl sulfone, 4,4′-diglycidyloxydiphenyl sulfone, 1,4-diglycidyloxybenzene, 4[α-(hydroxylmethyl)benzyloxy]-4-hydroxydiphenyl sulfone, metal salts of p-nitrobenzoic acid, metal salts of phthalic acid mono benzyl ester, metal salts of cinnamic acid and mixtures thereof.

Examples of insolubilisers are glyoxal, urea-formaldehyde resins, melamine-formaldehyde resins, polyamide resins, polyamido-epichlorohydrin resins, adipic acid dihydrazide, boric acid, borax, ammonium zirconium carbonate, potassium zirconium carbonate and ammonium zirconium lactate.

Examples of fluorescent whitening agents are stilbene derivatives such as sold, for example, under the tradenames Ciba® Tinopal® SPP-Z or Ciba® Tinopal® ABP-Z.

An example of a wetting agent is Ciba® Irgaclear® D, a sorbitol based clarifying agent.

Examples of IR absorbers are alkylated triphenyl phosphorothionates, for example as sold under the trade name Ciba® Irgalube® 211. Examples of a UV absorber are Ciba® Tinuvin® 900 and Ciba® Tinuvin® 1130, which are UV absorbers of the hydroxyphenyl benzotriazole class and Ciba® Tinuvin® 400 and Ciba® Tinuvin® 1577, which are UV absorbers of the triaryltriazine class.

Examples of tinting colorants are Ciba® Pergasol® Violet BN and Ciba® Irgalite® Violet M.

The coating composition can comprise the colour developer of formula 1 or mixtures thereof from 0.1 to 25% by weight based on the weight of the coating composition, preferably from 0.5 to 15% by weight, more preferably from 1 to 10% by weight.

The coating composition can comprise the colour former or mixtures thereof from 0.1 to 25% by weight based on the weight of the coating composition, preferably from 0.5 to 15% by weight, more preferably from 1 to 10% by weight.

The coating composition can comprise the binder or mixtures thereof from 1 to 60% by weight based on the weight of the coating composition, preferably from 5 to 30% by weight, more preferably from 8 to 25% by weight.

The coating composition can comprise the aqueous medium from 1 to 99% by weight based on the weight of the coating composition, preferably from 25 to 95% by weight, more preferably from 40 to 90% by weight.

The coating composition can comprise the dispersing agent from 0.001 to 10% by weight based on the weight of the coating composition, preferably from 0.01 to 5% by weight, more preferably from 0.05 to 1% by weight.

The coating composition can comprise the surfactant from 0.001 to 10% by weight based on the weight of the coating composition, preferably from 0.01 to 5% by weight, more preferably from 0.01 to 1% by weight.

The coating composition can comprise additional components from 0 to 50% by weight of all additional components based on the weight of the coating composition, preferably from 0 to 25% by weight.

Preferably, the coating composition essentially consists of a colour developer of formula 1 or mixtures thereof, a colour former or mixtures thereof, a binder or mixtures thereof and an aqueous medium.

Generally, the weight ratio of colour developer to colour former is chosen in the range of from 1:5 to 5:1, preferably from 3:1 to 1:3.

Also part of the invention is a process for preparing the coating composition of the present invention. This process comprises mixing the colour developer 1 or mixtures thereof with a colour former or mixtures thereof, and optionally a binder or mixtures thereof, an aqueous medium, a dispersing agent, a surfactant and additional components. For example, the colour developer 1 and the colour former are milled separately in an aqueous medium and/or a binder by means of e.g. a ball mill, an attritor, a sand mill, a bead mill or like device to form dispersions with an average particle diameter preferably in the range of 0.2 to 2.0 μm. The fine particle dispersions thus obtained can be combined and then optionally mixed with binder, aqueous medium, a dispersing agent, a surfactant and additional components. The resulting mixture is thoroughly stirred to obtain the heat sensitive coating composition.

A process for preparing a substrate coated with the coating composition of the present invention is also part of the invention. This process comprises coating a substrate with the coating composition of the present invention.

The substrate can be a sheet or any other three dimensional object, it can be transparent or opaque and it can have an even or uneven surface. The substrate can be paper, cardboard, metal, wood, textiles, glass, ceramics and/or polymers. Examples of paper are wood-free paper made from non-chlorine bleached pulp and base paper containing waste paper. Examples of polymers are polyethylene terephthalate, low density-polyethylene, polypropylene, biaxially orientated polypropylene, polyether sulfone, polyvinyl chloride, polyester and polystyrene. Preferably, the substrate is paper, cardboard or polymer. More preferably, it is paper.

The substrate can be coated with the composition of the present invention by using a standard coating application such as a bar coater application, rotation application, spray application, curtain application, dip application, air application, knife application, blade application or roll application. The composition can also be applied to the substrate by various printing methods such as silk screen printing, gravure printing, offset printing and flexo printing. If the substrate is paper, the composition can also be applied in the size press or at the wet-end of the paper machine.

The coating composition can be dried, for example at ambient or elevated temperature. The elevated temperature is ideally chosen to avoid image formation before exposure to heat. The coating can have a weight of 1 to 10 g/m², preferably from 2 to 7 g/m² on a dry weight basis.

Also part of the invention is the substrate coated with the coating composition of the present invention.

Also part of the invention is a process for preparing a marked substrate, which comprises the steps of i) coating a substrate with the coating composition of the present invention, and ii) exposing those parts of the coated substrate, where a marking is intended, to heat in order to generate a marking.

The heat can be applied using a thermal printer or electromagnetic irradiation such as UV, IR, visible or microwave irradiation. UV, visible and IR irradiation can be applied by using a UV, visible or IR laser. Examples of IR lasers are CO₂ lasers, Nd:YAG (neodym-yttrium-aluminum garnet) lasers and IR semicoductor lasers.

Preferably, the heat is applied by using a thermal printer or a laser. More preferably, the heat is applied using a thermal printer or an IR laser having a wavelength in the range of 780 to 1,000,000 nm. Even more preferably, the heat is applied using a thermal printer or a CO₂ laser.

Typically the exact power of the IR laser and the line speed is determined by the application and chosen to be sufficient to generate the image, for example, when the wavelength of the IR laser is 10,600 nm and the diameter of the laser beam is 0.35 mm, the power is typically 0.1 to 4 W, and the line speed is typically 500 to 2,000 mm/s.

Yet another aspect of the invention is the marked substrate, which is obtained by above process.

Also parts of the present invention are the colour developers of formulae

The coating compositions of the present invention have the advantage that they are storage stable, i.e. only undergo minimal darkening (yellowing) upon storage in the wet state at room temperature or even slightly elevated temperature, and which also provide images of high contrast and of high stability towards heat, oil and light.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

Preparation of Dispersions A to D

The following dispersions A to D are prepared by milling the compositions shown below in an attritor until a particle size of ˜1.0 micron is obtained.

Dispersion A

25 parts   colour developer of formulae 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h,
           1i, 1j, 1k, 1l, 1m, 1n, 1o, 1p, 1q, 1r, 1s, 1, 1u, 1v, 1w, 1x
           or 1y, respectively 1/1 (weight/weight) mixture of 1a and
           1p.
16.7 parts polyvinyl alcohol (10%)
1.5 parts  naphthylene sulfonic acid formaldehyde condensate (45%)
57 parts   deionised water

Dispersion B

25 parts   color former 2 (see table 2 below)
50 parts   polyvinyl alcohol (10%)
0.75 parts Surfynol ® 104, 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-dec-5-in-4,7-diol
           (20%)
24 parts   deionised water

TABLE 2
Color
Former
2a 3-dibutylamino-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran
2b 3,3-bis(1-octyl-2-methylindole-3-yl)phthalide
2c 3-diethylamino-7-ethylcarboxyfluoran
2d 3-(ethyl-(3-methylbutyl)amino)-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran
2e 3-diethylamino-6-methyl-7-(2,4-dimethylanilino)fluoran
2f 3-diethylamino-6-methyl-7-anilinofluoran
2g 3-diethylamino-6-methyl-7-(4-methylanilino)fluoran
2h 3-(1-octyl-2-methylindole-3-yl)-3-(2-(1-ethoxy-2-diethyl-
   aminophenyl))phthalide

Dispersion C

25 parts  benzyloxynaphthylene (BON)
8.3 parts polyvinyl alcohol (10%)
1 part    naphthylene sulfonic acid formaldehyde condensate (45%)
66 parts  deionised water

Dispersion D

25 parts  calcium carbonate
0.25 part Ciba ® Dispex ® N40, a polyacrylic acid, sodium salt (40%)
75 parts  deionised water

Example 2

Preparation of a Coating

A coating composition is prepared containing the following components:

2.88 g Dispersion A (1a to 1d)
1.44 g Dispersion B (2a)
2.40 g Dispersion C
7.88 g Dispersion D
1.45 g zinc stearate (17%)
2.2 g  polyvinyl alcohol (20%)
0.1 g  Tinopal ™ ABP-Z, a stilbene-based fluorescent whitening agent
1.15 g deionized water

The coating composition is applied to a base paper using a drawdown coater, dried and calendered to provide coatweights of 5.6 to 6.0 g/m². The papers are printed with an Atlantek thermal printer to provide black images of good stability. The optical density of the papers and resulting images are measured with a GretagMacbeth SpectroEye spectrometer.

	TABLE 3
	Optical density
	Dispersion A	before printing	after printing
	1a	0.20	0.81
	1b	0.14	1.02
	1c	0.56	0.62
	1d	0.17	0.88

Example 3

Preparation of a Coating

A coating composition based on Dispersion A (1b) is prepared as described in example 2, but with varying amounts of Dispersion C. The coating compositions are applied to a base paper using a drawdown coater, dried and calendered to provide coatweights of 5.6 to 6.0 g/m². The papers are printed with an Atlantek thermal printer to provide black images of good stability. The optical density of the papers and resulting images are measured with a GretagMacbeth SpectroEye spectrometer.

	TABLE 4
	Optical density
Dispersion C [g]	before printing	after printing
2.4	0.12	1.02
1.2	0.13	1.09
0.6	0.12	1.06
0	0.17	0.62

The same samples are then irradiated with a carbon dioxide laser (0.2 W/1000 mm/s) to provide images whose optical densities are also measured with the GretagMacbeth SpectroEye spectrometer.

	TABLE 5
	Optical density
Dispersion C [g]	before irradiation	after irradiation
2.4	0.12	1.06
1.2	0.13	1.13
0.6	0.12	1.17
0	0.17	1.11

Example 4

Preparation of a Coating

A coating composition based on Dispersion A (1b) and Dispersion B (2a to 2c) is prepared as described in example 2, but no Dispersion C is present. The coating compositions are applied to a base paper using a drawdown coater, dried and calendered to provide coatweights of 5.6 to 6.0 g/m². The papers are printed with an Atlantek thermal printer to provide black images of good stability. The optical density of the papers and resulting images is measured with a GretagMacbeth SpectroEye spectrometer.

	TABLE 6
	Optical density
	Dispersion B	before printing	after printing
	2a	0.07	0.75
	2b	0.07	0.43
	2c	0.06	0.12

The same samples are then irradiated with a carbon dioxide laser (0.2 W/1000 mm/s) to provide images whose optical density is also measured with the GretagMacbeth SpectroEye spectrometer.

	TABLE 7
	Optical density
	Dispersion B	before irradiation	after irradiation
	2a	0.07	0.64
	2b	0.07	0.43
	2c	0.06	0.13

Example 5

Preparation of a Coating

A coating composition is prepared containing the following components:

6.28 g acrylic binder prepared as decribed in example
       1B of WO 2007/031454.
6.25 g Dispersion A (1b)
6.25 g Dispersion B (2a to 2c)
5.26 g deionized water

The coating composition is applied to a base paper using a drawdown coater, dried and calendered to provide coatweights of 5.6 to 6.0 g/m². The papers are then irradiated with a carbon dioxide laser (0.2 W/1000 mm/s) to provide images whose optical density is measured with the GretagMacbeth SpectroEye spectrometer.

	TABLE 8
	Optical density
	Dispersion B	before irradiation	after irradiation
	2a	0.04	0.62
	2b	0.04	0.50
	2c	0.08	0.13

Example 6

Preparation of a Coating

Coating compositions based on Dispersion A (1a, 1b, 1d to 1y, 1/1 (weight/weight) mixture of 1a and 1p) and Dispersion B (2a) are prepared as described in example 5. The coating compositions are applied to paper and irradiated as described in example 5. The coating compositions are applied to the paper immediately after preparation, unless indicated otherwise (see footnotes to table 9).

	TABLE 9
	Optical density
	Dispersion A	before irradiation	after irradiation
	1a	0.29	0.85
	1b	0.14	0.55
	1b1	0.17	0.86
	1b2	0.18	0.82
	1d	0.24	0.63
	1e	0.37	0.47
	1f	0.41	1.40
	1g	0.64	1.15
	1h	0.29	1.36
	1i	0.28	1.41
	1j	0.15	0.96
	1k	0.32	1.58
	1l	0.94	1.28
	1m	0.52	1.22
	1n	0.29	0.55
	1o3	0.05	0.29
	1p	0.04	1.00
	1q	0.04	0.61
	1r	0.41	0.75
	1s	0.16	0.68
	1t	0.06	0.63
	1u	0.09	0.83
	1v	0.05	0.05
	1w	0.04	0.48
	1x	0.44	0.87
	1y	0.09	0.21
	1a + 1p	0.04	0.38
	1The composition is stored for one week at room temperature before application to paper and laser irradiation.
	2The composition is stored for one week at 40° C. before application to paper and laser irradiation.
	3Only one third of the amount specified added to coating.

As can be seen, the coating compositions of the present invention can be stored under various conditions without significant change in activity. Images of high stability against dry and moist heat, oil and light are obtained. A control coating composition containing methyl 2,4-dihydroxybenzoate instead of colour developer of formulae 1 is prepared in analogy to the samples of example 6. The control coating composition discolors immediately and the coated sheets obtained are gray in color.

Example 7

Preparation of a Coating

Coating compositions based on Dispersion A (1p) and Dispersion B (2a to 2h) are prepared as described in example 5. The coating compositions are applied to paper and irradiated with a carbon dioxide laser (1.0 W/1000 mm/s) to provide images whose optical densities are also measured with the GretagMacbeth SpectroEye spectrometer. The coating compositions are applied to the paper immediately after preparation, unless indicated otherwise (see footnotes to table 10).

	TABLE 10
	Optical density
	Dispersion B	before irradiation	after irradiation
	2a	0.02	0.85
	2a1	0.02	1.00
	2a2	0.02	0.85
	2a3	0.04	0.99
	2a4	0.02	0.99
	2b	0.02	0.38
	2c	0.02	0.49
	2d	0.02	0.84
	2e	0.03	0.92
	2f	0.03	0.97
	2g	0.02	0.70
	2h	0.02	0.70
	1The composition is stored for one week at room temperature before application to paper and laser irradiation.
	2The composition is stored for one week at 40° C. before application to paper and laser irradiation.
	3The composition is stored for four weeks at room temperature before application to paper and laser irradiation.
	4The composition is stored for four weeks at 40° C. before application to paper and laser irradiation.

As can be seen, the coating compositions of the present invention comprising colour developer 1 p are extraordinary storage stable.

Example 8

Preparation of a Coating

Coating compositions based on Dispersion A (1b) and Dispersion B (2a) are prepared as described in example 5, In addition, the coating compositions contain 0.55 g of the fluorescent whitening agent Ciba® Tinopal® ABP-Z and either 1.56 g of the UV absorbers Ciba® Tinuvin® 900 or Ciba® Tinuvin® 1130. The coating compositions are applied to paper and irradiated as described in example 5.

	TABLE 11
	Optical density
	UV Absorber	before irradiation	after irradiation
	Ciba ® Tinuvin ® 900	0.15	0.72
	Ciba ® Tinuvin ® 1130	0.15	0.70

Example 9

Preparation of a Coating

Coating compositions based on Dispersion A (1p) and Dispersion B (2a) are prepared as described in example 5, except that the acrylic binder is replaced with either a styrene butadiene latex or polyvinylalcohol. The coating compositions are applied to paper and irradiated as described in example 5. The coating compositions are applied to the paper immediately after preparation, unless indicated otherwise (see footnotes to table 9).

	TABLE 12
	Optical density
	Binder	before irradiation	after irradiation
	Ciba ® Latexia ® 3041	0.04	0.94
	Ciba ® Latexia ® 3182	0.04	0.78
	Ciba ® Latexia ® 3193	0.03	0.70
	Ciba ® Latexia ® 302S	0.03	0.83
	Ciba ® Latexia ® 707	0.02	0.61
	Ciba ® Latexia ® 770	0.02	0.86
	Mowiol 26-884	0.01	1.13
	1Ciba ® Latexia ® 304 is a styrene butadiene latex (solids content 50%, particle size 0.15 μm, glass transition temperature Tg 20° C.).
	2Ciba ® Latexia ® 318 is a styrene butadiene latex (solids content 50%, particle size 0.12 μm, glass transition temperature Tg 22° C.).
	3Ciba ® Latexia ® 319 is a styrene butadiene latex (solids content 50%, particle size 0.12 μm, glass transition temperature Tg 28° C.).
	4Mowiol 26-88 is a partially hydrolysed polyvinyl alcohol sold by Kuraray.

Claims

1. A coating composition comprising a colour developer of formula

2. The coating composition of claim 1, wherein the composition also comprises a colour former or mixtures thereof.

3. A process for preparing the coating composition of claim 2, which process comprises mixing the colour developer of formula 1 or mixtures thereof with a colour former or mixtures thereof.

4. The coating composition of claim 1, wherein the composition also comprises a binder or mixtures thereof.

5. The coating composition of claim 1, wherein the composition also comprises an aqueous medium.

6. The coating composition of claim 1, wherein the composition also comprises a dispersing agent.

7. The coating composition of claim 1, wherein the composition also comprises a surfactant.

8. The coating composition of claim 1, wherein the composition also comprises additional components.

9. A process for preparing a substrate coated with the coating composition of claim 1, which process comprises coating a substrate with the coating composition of claim 1.

10. A substrate coated with the coating composition of claim 1.

11. A process for preparing a marked substrate, which process comprises the steps of i) coating a substrate with the coating composition of claim 1, and ii) exposing those parts of the coated substrate, where a marking is intended, to heat in order to generate a marking.

12. The process of claim 11 wherein the heat is applied using a thermal printer or electromagnetic irradiation.

13. A marked substrate, which is obtained by the process of claim 11.

14. A coating composition according to claim 1, comprising a colour developer of formula (1) or mixtures thereof, whereinR1 is hydrogenR2 and R3 are hydrogenR4 and R5 can be the same or different, and are aryl,wherein aryl can be substituted with one or more hydroxyl group.

15. A coating composition according to claim 1, wherein the colour developer of formula (1) is

16. Compound of formula

17. A coating composition comprising a colour developer of the formula

18. A coating composition comprising a colour developer of the formula

19. A coating composition comprising a colour developer of the formula

20. A coating composition comprising a colour developer of the formula

21. A coating composition comprising a colour developer of the formula

22. A coating composition comprising a colour developer of the formula

23. A coating composition comprising a colour developer of the formula

24. A coating composition comprising a colour developer of the formula

25. A coating composition comprising a colour developer of the formula

26. A coating composition comprising a colour developer of the formula