Oxidative degradation of inorganic sulphides in the presence of a catalyst based on 3,3', 5,5'-tetra-tert-butyl-4,4'-stilbenequinone.

The aim of this study is to monitor the kinetics and mechanism of liquid-phase oxidation of inorganic sulphide by oxygen in the presence of a catalyst based on 3,3',5,5'-tetra-tert-butyl-4,4'-stilbenequinone. The research results point out that this reaction has a first order with respect to each reactant. The effects of temperature, initial sulphide concentration, intermediate and final oxidation products, the nature of inorganic sulphides as well as the catalyst concentration on aqueous sulphide oxidation efficiency were investigated. The catalytic cycle mechanism of sodium sulphide oxidation by 3,3',5,5'-tetra-tert-butyl-4,4'-stilbenequinone is presented.