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Spectrophotometric and kinetics investigation of the Berthelot reaction for the determination of ammonia. [More sensitive, precise procedure presented]

Journal Article · · Anal. Chem.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ac50011a034· OSTI ID:7324930
An investigation of the mechanism of the Berthelot reaction has led to an increased understanding of the many conflicts in the literature concerning the reaction's use for the analytical determination of ammonia. Monochloramine is shown to be the first intermediate, and the kinetics of its formation and decomposition are presented. The identical visible spectra obtained for a series of indophenols synthesized in the course of this research and the blue complexes formed when phenol or a substituted phenol was used in the Berthelot reaction confirmed that indophenol is the final product of the reaction. Conditions which lead to the formation of final products other than indophenol have been observed and are also discussed. The role and identity of the ''catalyst'' for the Berthelot reaction are examined in detail. Finally, a new procedure for ammonia analysis which is superior in both sensitivity and precision to the other published procedures is presented.
Research Organization:
Michigan State Univ., East Lansing
OSTI ID:
7324930
Journal Information:
Anal. Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: Anal. Chem.; (United States) Vol. 49:3; ISSN ANCHA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English