ELECTROCHEMICAL REDUCTION OF THE NITRITE TO AMMONIUM-IONS IN PRESENCEOF [MOO2(O2CC(S)C6H5)(2)](2-)

Ammonia is formed during potentiostatic reduction of sodium nitrite so lutions on the nafion-complex-coated electrode. When (NH4)(2)[MoO2(O2C C(S)(C6H5)(2))(2)] is present in NaNO2 solutions a polarographic wave is associated to electroacatalytic reduction of nitrite ion. The wave height varies linearly on the concentration of nitrite ion, allowing a procedure for analysing this ion. This electrochemical behaviour dist inguishes the nitrite from the nitrate ions. The Mo(VI), Mo(V), and Mo (IV) are involved in catalytic redox processes determining formation o f NH4+ from nitrite ions.