Indirect electrochemical oxidation of aniline in acid electrolyte with active oxygen species

Kinetics and selectivity of the aniline oxidation on a boron-doped diamond electrode and lead dioxide anode (Pb/PbO₂) in an acid electrolyte were studied under various generation conditions of active oxygen species. The resulting kinetic dependences can be described by a pseudo-first-order equation. The apparent rate constants of the process were determined for two electrolysis modes: direct anodic oxidation and oxidation with addition of hydrogen peroxide. UV spectroscopy was used to determine that the aniline destruction process occurs via formation of a number of intermediate products (benzoquinone, carboxylic acids). It was shown that the aniline destruction process can occur with a rather high efficiency (~80–90%) on the electrode types under study.