Oxidation of selenite by alkaline ferricyanide using osmium tetroxide as a catalyst

Summary Oxidation of selenite to selenate by alkaline ferricyanide catalysed by osmium tetroxide was followed by direct and indirect procedures. Either the ferrocyanide was titrated with selenite solution at 8–10% overall alkalinity or vice versa using amperometric or potentiometric end point. In the indirect procedure the excess ferricyanide was determined by amperometric titration with arsenious oxide at 10–15% alkalinity, and the ferrocyanide with ceric sulphate using o-phenanthroline or amperometric indicator. A cerimetric determination of ferricyanide based on this reaction is described.Sincere thanks of the authors are due to Dr. S. S. Joshi, D. Sc. (London), for kind interest in the work.