This invention comprises multicolor photographic element comprising a support bearing a cyan dye image-forming unit comprising at least one red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith at least one cyan dye-forming coupler, a magenta dye image-forming unit comprising at least one green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith at least one magenta dye-forming coupler, a yellow dye image-forming unit comprising at least one blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith at least one yellow dye-forming coupler, wherein at least one of said red-sensitive or green-sensitive layers comprises a fragmentable electron donating compound of the formula: X-Y' or a compound which contains a moiety of the formula -X-Y';
   wherein the speed gain deriving from addition of said compound to said layer is less than or equal to 0.05 log sensitivity units and wherein

X is an electron donor moiety, Y' is a leaving proton H or a leaving group Y, with the proviso that if Y' is a proton, a base, β - , is present in the emulsion layer, and wherein:

1) X-Y' has an oxidation potential between 0 and about 1.4 V;
2) the oxidized form of X-Y' undergoes a bond cleavage reaction to give the radical X • and the leaving fragment Y'; and
3) the radical X • has an oxidation potential ≤-0.7V.