Catalytic wave of hydrogen in systems based on iron(II) nitrosyl complexes

The electroreduction of Fe(III) at a dropping mercury electrode in an acetate buffer solution containing NO ₂ ^- and NH ₄ ⁺ ions and some hydroxy acids was studied. Based on the fact that the current depends on a number of factors, it was concluded that the wave observed was catalytic wave of hydrogen. The proposed mechanism of the process includes the electroreduction of the Fe(III) complex, the formation of a mixed-ligandFe(II) complex, and its protonation and reduction at a dropping mercury electrode with the liberation of hydrogen. Presented at the V All-Russian Conference with the Participation of CIS Countries on Electrochemical Methods of Analysis (EMA-99), Moscow, December 6–8, 1999.