[dancqu]

Okay, and what about potassium hydroxide or the glycol?

The chemicals you stated ("Hydroquinone, sodium sulfite, and
sodium carbonate") sound perfectly find for something like Dektol
(in fact that pretty much is Dektol that you described) but as we all
know, Dektol isn't even close to a lith developer.

Granted, it's all about proportion of chemicals to manipulate
developer activity, but I think there's a bit more than that
needed. On the flip-side, it appears Easylith is mostly
HQ, glycol, and potassium carbonate.

The very high ph of a hydroxide is not needed. The
glycol? The entire News Paper industry for generations
existed as we know it because of lith developers. Many
variations exist catering to many emulsions, work
conditions, keeping qualities etc.

The secret is the extremely low level of sulfite needed.
Ordinarily hydroquinone is, after a manor, rejuvenated
so acts in it's usual way. As sulfite levels drop below
2% hydroquinone reduces the halides of silver
infectiously.

To learn more, via Google search for lith formulas.
Once there read "What Lith Developers Do". Dan