The Electrode Reactions of Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate Solutions

A study of the electrode reactions of sodium formaldehyde sulf- oxylate (SFS) was made using polarographic techniques. The project was undertaken to determine the possible mechanisms of these reactions and the number of electrons transferred in each process. The investigation was made over a wide range of pH. The results obtained indicate that in basic media the SFS is oxidized at the dropping mercury electrode (DME). In acidic media, the SFS undergoes decomposition, and its reactions form part of the complex dithionous acid-sulfurous acid system of electrode reactions.