In this article I describe a simple laboratory exercise to introduce the measurement of dissolved oxygen with a Clark oxygen sensor for a sophomore-level course. The reaction of sulfite with oxygen is slowed or inhibited completely in the presence of certain phenols. This can be followed easily by the degree of oxygen decrease in solution. The experiment demonstrates the effect of antioxidants and differentiates between different kinds of phenols according to their effectiveness. Extension of the technique to structurally similar compounds is also possible.
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