OXIDATIVE DECOMPOSITION OF NITROGEN SULFUR-OXIDES

The oxidative decomposition of nitrogen-sulfur oxides, formed by the r eaction of nitrite ion and hydrogen sulfite ion in aqueous solution, h as been investigated. The oxidants used in this study included hydroge n peroxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone. There was a wide range of sus ceptibility to oxidation among the compounds studied. Ozone was a bett er oxidant than nitrogen dioxide and hydrogen peroxide under the condi tions used. The rate expression for the reaction of hydrogen peroxide with hydroxylamine was found to be -d[H2O2]/dt = k[H2O2][NH2OH], where k = (7.3 +/- 0.5) X 10(-4) M-1 s-1 at 25-degrees-C.