Aqueous oxidations of phenol, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, n-butanol, chloroethanol, chloropropane and chlorobutane were conducted to evaluate the impact of common salts and bases on oxidation with hydrogen peroxide. Oxidation rates increased up to greater than two orders of magnitude depending on the electrolytes. Sodium and potassium electrolytes generally promoted oxidation at temperatures near 100 degreesC with sodium promoting oxidation better than potassium, Ionic interactions among electrolytes change the nature of their catalytic activity. In the presence of nitric acid calcium was the most effective of these metals for promoting oxidation. Using soluble salts is proposed for wet-air oxidation and contaminated soil treatment.