Spectrophotometric and 1H NMR methods have been used to study the kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of the Bunte salt, 2-aminoethanethiol sulfuric acid, H2NCH2CH2S- SO3H (AETSA) by chlorite in mildly acidic media. The reaction is characterized by a long quiescent induction period followed by rapid and autocatalytic production of chlorine dioxide. The formation of chlorine dioxide is much more pronounced in stoichiometric ...