General Mechanism
When a solution of nitrate ions is mixed with aqueous sodium hydroxide, adding Devarda's alloy and heating the mixture gently, liberates ammonia gas. After conversion under the form of ammonia, the total nitrogen is then determined by Kjeldahl method.
The reduction of nitrate by the Devarda's alloy is given by the following equation:
- 3 NO−
3 + 8 Al + 5 OH− + 18 H2O → 3 NH3 + 8 −
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