Catalytic prewave of cobalt in the presence of thiolactic acid

The thiolactic acid, like other thiol compounds, forms complexes with cobal t(II) from which the cobalt is reduced with a much smaller overpotential th an from the aquo cobalt ion. Well-defined prewave of cobalt is observed for its complex with ammonium in the presence of thiolactic acid. The characte ristics of the prewave have been studied at pN = 9. On the other hand, thio lactic acid curd thioglycolic acid,(1) which give prewaves of cobalt of com plex appearance, can only form complexes with carboxylate and thiolate grou ps. A presodium wave is possible in the potential range of-1.6V; -1.8V.