The kinetics and mechanism of the ferrate(VI) oxidation of hydroxylamines.

Aqueous solutions of potassium ferrate(VI) cleanly and rapidly oxidize hydroxylamine to nitrous oxide, N-methylhydroxylamine to nitrosomethane, N-phenylhydroxylamine to nitrosobenzene, and O-methylhydroxylamine to methanol and nitrogen. The kinetics show first-order behavior with respect to each reactant and a two term component representing acid dependent and independent pathways. A general mechanism involving intermediate formation coupled with a two-electron oxidation is proposed.