The electrochemical oxidation of hydroxylamine at platinum and gold electrodes in dimethylsulfoxide

Abstract

The electrochemistry of hydroxylamine has been studied at gold and platinum electrodes in dimethylsulfoxide containing 0.20 F LiClO 4 using chronopotentiometry, controlled-potential coulometry, cyclic voltammetry and gas chromatography. The electroactive species is NH 2 OH which is oxidized irreversibly by a diffusion-controlled two-electron process. The major products are H 2 O, H + and N 2 O. Mechanisms consistent with the results are proposed; the rate-controlling step is a one-electron process which follows a pre-chemical reaction of a hydroxide ion with NH 2 OH.