Hyponitrites, salts of the weak acid HO–NN–OH, hyponitrous acid, react, in aqueous solution (pH 4–8), with an array of inorganic oxidants. With the high potential reagents Br2 and [Fe(bipy)3]3+ in excess, conversion is mainly to nitrate, whereas with I2 and [IrCl6]2−, the product is nitrite. Kinetic acidity patterns indicate that nearly all oxidations proceed largely through the conjugate base, HN2O2−. With I2, I3−, and Br2 there is also evidence also for a doubly deprotonated route, possibly involving a halogen–N2O22− complex. The 1e− metal oxidants [Fe(bipy)3]3+ and [IrCl6]2− probably operate through a series of outer-sphere 1e− steps in which the initial transfer is rate-determining, whereas with I2 and Br2, reaction via a halogen bridge, resulting in net transfer of X+ (a 2e− change) is more likely. None of the reaction profiles exhibits irregularities attributable to the intervention of an intermediate formed or destroyed on a time scale commensurate with the initial reaction.