Home – Home – Jornals – Chemistry for Sustainable Development 2004 number 2

Indirect oxidation of maleic acid by Fenton's reagent with electrochemical generation of hydrogen peroxide from oxygen in a carbon hydrophobized electrode in 1M Na₂SO₄ solution is studied. It is established that the process goes on destructively through a number of intermediates with mineralization to CO₂ and H₂O. Succinic, malic, oxalic acids and anhydrides of ketoacids were detected among the intermediates. The rate of mineralization depends on the current density and on the concentration of Fe²⁺ ions.