Most preferably, the present invention relates to the 2-equivalent phenol couplers described above, wherein the coupler has the following formula: ##STR4## wherein R3 is selected from the group consisting of --CN, --NO2, --CF3, --COOR5, --COR5, --SO2 OR5, --SO2 R5, ##STR5## where R5 is an alkyl group (preferably and alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms) or an aryl group (preferably an unsubstituted