To provide an antioxidant which prevents developing agents from oxidation without hindering developing by incorporating a water-soluble hydroxamic acid into a developer.
An aq. compsn. contg. at least 20 wt.% water-soluble compd. of formula I (wherein R1 is H or alkyl; R2 is H, alkyl or hydroxyalkyl; R3 and R4 are each H or alkyl; and n is 1-4) is provided. Suitable examples of the compd. are represented by formulas II and III. The compd. of formula II is prepd. as an adjusted soln. by dropping γ-butyrolactone into a water- hydroxylamine mixed soln. and adding water to the soln. This water-soluble compd., which is odorless, can replace diethylhydroxylamine, which has a bad odor, in preventing developers from oxidation while providing at least similar effects. By using a color photograph developer contg. the compd. of formula I, bleacing and fixing can be done simultaneously in the treating step of developing, bleaching, and fixing of a color photograph silver halide.
HUEBSCH THOMAS DR
SCHOLKMANN ANGELIKA
DOVECAR FRANK
