An aqueous solution of aniline was oxidized in supercritical water with a flow reactor under the conditions of 25 MPa

300% excess oxygen

2.351×10 -4 mol·L -1 aniline .GC-MS analysis of the oxidation products extracted from the aqueous reactor effluent permitted identification of compounds such as azobenzene

phenazine and acetic acid. The products could be classified as dimers

single-ring or ring-opening produces

carboxylic acids and ultimate products.The contents of dimers (such as azobenzene and phenazine) were greater than other products.A reaction network consistent with the experimental observations was developed. The study revealed that aniline might be oxidized to ultimate products through two parallel pathways. The formation of dimers such as azobenzene

phenazine and the further oxidation of these dimers were the main pathways. It was indicated experimentally that the rate controlling step of aniline oxidation was the further oxidation of azobenzene and phenazine

but not the further oxidation of organic acid such as acetic acid

formic acid and so on.