N,O-Diacylated-N-hydroxyarylsulfonamides are capable of slowly releasing nitroxyl (HNO) by simple, non-enzymatic hydrolysis in Krebs solution at 37 degrees C. Release of nitric oxide (NO) was not seen. These compounds were also found to elicit vasorelaxation in rabbit thoracic aorta in vitro, presumably as a result of their ability to release HNO. This effect was enhanced by the addition of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Thus, these results are consistent with previous work indicating that HNO is a potent vasorelaxant.