ELECTROREDUCTION OF VANADIUM(V) IN PRESENCE AND ABSENCE OF CHLORITE ION

Polarographic and voltammetric curves have been used to study the electroreduction and ammonium metavanadate solutions in 1F NH//3, 1F NH//4Cl at dropping and hanging drop mercury electrodes. Polarographic experiments were also made in the same media with EDTA added. When chlorite ion is present in these systems, a catalytic current is manifested. In the absence of EDTA, the catalytic current process appears to involve an equilibrium reaction of the product of the electrode reaction. In the presence of EDTA, a normal catalytic current is found. The mechanisms of these processes are discussed and rate constants are measured.