Infrared-absorbing cyanine colorants for laser-colorant transfer

A colorant-donor element for thermal colorant transfer comprising a support having thereon a colorant layer comprising a colorant dispersed in a binder, the colorant layer having associated therewith an infrared-absorbing cyanine colorant having a sulfonic acid group, the cyanine colorant having the following formula: wherein: each W independently represents the atoms necessary to form an optional 6-membered aromatic ring; each X independently represents sulfur or C(CH3)2; each Y independently represents an alkylene group having from about 2 to about 5 carbon atoms; and Z is chlorine or an alkylsulfonyl group having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms.