Polarographic determination of nitrate in concentrated sulphuric acid solutions

The possibility of the polarographic determination of nitrates in the presence of hydroquinone in 65–95% sulphuric acid solutions was investigated. It has been found that nitrates in 95% acid have one polarographic wave without inflection point the height of which is proportional to nitrate concentration. In 85% sulphuric acid and in other acids investigated with lower concentrations, nitrates are not polarographically active. If both nitrate and hydroquinone are present in H₂SO₄, two waves are observed on the polarogram. The more negative wave is completely defined. The height of this wave is proportional to nitrate concentration in the range 5×10^?5?5×10^?3M.