OXIDATION OF DIETHYL SULFIDE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS BY PEROXYNITRITE AND THE H2O2–NO2^-SYSTEM

It was found that nitrite anions are effective activators of hydrogen peroxide in the reaction with diethyl sulfide. The observed kinetics are consistent with the proposed intermediate formation of peroxynitrous acid (ONOOH). The rate constants for the reaction of diethyl sulfide Et2S with the acid ONOOH (k0 = 1.8.10^3 L/mol_s) and with the anion ONOO^– (k–=6.10^–2 L/mol.s) are respectively 105 and three times higher than with hydrogen peroxide.