Phenylmercaptoazole compounds

Novel compounds which are represented by the formula wherein X represents the nonmetallic atoms necessary to form a nucleus which completes a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic moiety, R is a group which is cleavable in aqueous alkaline medium and R1 is either a group which has a pKa of from about 7 to about 14 which is ionizable to an anion and wherein the silver salt of the mercaptan resulting from cleavage of -SR is rendered more soluble in the pH range within which R1 is ionized to an anion than it is below that pH range or a precursor of such a group. The compounds are useful in photographic applications.