Aniline degradation by electrocatalytic oxidation.

The degradation of aniline solution in alkaline medium of pH 11.0 by electrocatalytic oxidation has been studied using an electrochemical reactor containing a SnO(2)-Sb(2)O(3)-PtO anode and a Ti cathode, both of 54 cm(2) area. Hydroxyl radicals (HO(z.rad;)) are produced at the anode, being tested with the trace catcher salicylic acid and phenol by spectrophotometery and high performance liquid chromatography. Intermediates dianiline, 4-anilino phenol and azobenzol were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The existence of HO(z.rad;) produced in the aniline degradation was assayed with scavenger tertiary butanol. The results showed that electrocatalytic oxidation is an effective process for the degradation of aniline. A general reaction pathway that accounts for aniline degradation to CO(2) involving those intermediates is proposed.