Black and white photographic elements containing release compounds and method of preparing photographic emulsion

The invention provides a black and white photographic element comprising a support having situated thereon at least one silver halide emulsion, the element containing a release compound that provides a non-imagewise distribution of a photographically active moiety, wherein the release compound has the structure wherein R1 is an electron withdrawing moiety; m is 0, 1, 2 or 3; R2 is a group containing an aqueous solubilizing group; q is 1 or 2; TIME is a timing group; n is 0, 1, 2 or 3; and PAM is a photographically active moiety.Also provided is a method of preparing a photographic emulsion comprising precipitating silver halide grains in a colloidal medium, washing the grains, sensitizing the grains by adding dyes, chemical sensitizers and heating, and adding to the emulsion a methanolic solution comprising a release compound as described above.