Catalytic kinetic determination of ultratrace amounts of nitrite with detection by linear scan voltammetry at a DME.

Nitrite has a very strong catalytic effect on the bromate oxidation of Methyl Orange in dilute sulphuric acid medium. The oxidation product of methyl orange exhibits a well derivative voltammetric wave at -0.41 V vs. SCE in sodium hydroxide medium. The linear scan voltammetric behaviour for the product at a DME has been studied, and it was selected as indicator component for the indicator reaction. Based on these studies, a novel and highly sensitive and selective catalytic reaction-voltammetric method for nitrite is proposed. A detection limit of 2 x 10(-9)M and calibration graph from 4 x 10(-7) to 4 x 10(-7)M nitrite are obtained. Nitrite in water samples was determined by this method, with satisfactory results.