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This paper describes the development of electrochemical processes for the oxidative degradation of nitroaromatic compounds, including 2-nitrotoluene, 2-nitroaniline and 4-nitroaniline, in acid wastewaters. The electrolysis process results in the formation of a dark solution in which the concentration of nitroaromatics had been reduced to much lower levels and COD removal efficiencies reached 50%. It was found that the best electrolysis conditions were 96% acid strength, 1000 A m-2 current density and ambient temperature. In addition, electrochemical degradations were always more effective when substituents are in the para-position and lead to significant electrophilic character. A black powdery product was isolated from the dark solution; this resulted from the anodic oxidation of amines initially produced at the cathode. The black product was further destroyed by anodic oxidation during prolonged electrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]