On the mechanism of catalytic decomposition of sodium peroxoborate by iron(III) ions in an alkaline medium

A change of the oxidation state of iron in the homogeneous catalytic decomposition of sodium peroxoborate in an alkali medium has been studied. After the end of the reaction at pH 8-10, the system contains only Fe2+ ions, and at pH 11-13 the system contains both Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions. The possibility of formation of hydroxyl radicals has been studied by the inhibitors method. Radicals form only at pH 12 and 13. A scheme of a mechanism for the catalytic decomposition of sodium peroxoborate in weakly alkaline and strongly alkaline media is proposed.