DEVELOPER BATH

PURPOSE: To obtain an ecologically safe developer bath not contg. EDTA and causing no precipitation during processing by incorporating a specified complexing agent. CONSTITUTION: A complexing agent represented by the formula as well as an active compd. and an auxiliary necessary for development is incorporated. In the formula, R is H, 1-10C alkyl, 1-10C hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl having 1-10C alkoxy and 1-10C alkyl, carboxyalkyl having 2-10C alkyl, ciicarboxyalkyl having 1-10C alkyl, etc., M is H, Li, Na or K and (n) is 1, 2, 3 or 4. The resultant developer bath may contain other auxiliaries including an anti-foggant such as benzotriazole or a boride, an antioxidant such as a sulfite and a buffer such as a boride, or carbonate besides the complexing agent and at least one kind of developer compd. such as phenol, phenolamine or pyrazolinone.