Reactions of metals in fused nitrate eutectic

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ic50031a026

The reactions of fifteen metals with a 0.1 M potassium pyrosulfate solution in lithium-potassium nitrate eutectic have been studied and compared with the reactions in 0.8 M potassium dichromate solution and with the reactions in pure nitrate eutectic. The gases formed in these reactions (mainly nitrogen dioxide, nitrous oxide, and nitrogen) and the oxidation products of the metals were identified, and the proportions of the gases and the temperatures required for commencement of reaction determined. With more reducing metals, nitrite and hyponitrite were observed as intermediate reduction products of the nitrate ion. It is suggested that the reactions and products can be considered as resulting from two distinct processes.