The reduction of bisulfite on a bismuth rotating disk electrode (RDE) was studied in aqueous buffered
electrolytes over the pH range 3−6. Clearly defined limiting currents were observed in all solutions examined;
however, their magnitudes were not only smaller than those expected for a process limited by the diffusion
of bisulfite from the bulk solution, but were also found to decrease as the media became less acidic. This
behavior was attributed to a preceding homogeneous process that generates sulfur dioxide, the actual
electroactive species. UV−visible absorption−reflection spectroscopy measurements at a RDE showed that
in the potential region in which such limiting currents are observed, dithionite is produced with 100% faradaic
efficiency. Results of rotation rate staircase scan amperometric RDE experiments were found to be consistent
with the conversion of bisulfite into SO2 proceeding via a general acid catalysis mechanism, and allowed
values for the rate constants for the following reactions to be determined: SO2 + H2O → HSO3
- + H3O+,
k
b
= (1.6 ± 0.2) 107 s-1; HSO3
- + H3O+ → SO2 + H2O, k
f
H
= (1.2 ± 0.15) 109 M-1 s-1; HSO3
- +
CH3COOH → SO2 + H2O + CH3COO-, k
f
HA
= (1.7 ± 0.5) 104 M-1 s-1. On this basis, and assuming
diffusion-controlled rates for proton transfer from strong acids to oxygen bases, a more detailed mechanism
involving formation of sulfurous acid as an intermediate is discussed and some thermodynamic and kinetic
properties of the latter are estimated.