The Metal Ion Catalyzed Oxidation of Hydrazine with Hydrogen Peroxide
Abstract
Hydrazine reacts readily with hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solution to yield nitrogen and water. The rate of the reaction as measured by the rate of nitrogen evolution is quite erratic. Using a solution that is 0.4 molar in hydrogen peroxide and 0.2 molar in hydrazine and the temperature at 25C, the initial rate of the reaction varied from 0.6 to 0.8 m1 per second. The reaction was found to be first order in peroxide and zero order in hydrazine. The rate of the reaction depends upon the history of the water which is used as solvent. Tap water gives the slowest rate. Water that has been distilled in a Barnstead metal still (tin plated) gives the fastest rate, and water that has been distilled first in the Barnstead still and then in a Pyrex still gives a rate which is intermediate between the first two. The addition of very small amounts of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, EDTA completely suppresses the reaction. The experimental results are compatible with a mechanism in which the hydrazine forms a complex with trace metals which are present inadvertently in the reaction mixture. The complex reacts with the peroxide in a rate determining step to give products. The reaction is inhibited by EDTA because the EDTA forms a very stable complex with the metal ions which is unreactive to peroxide.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0746956
Entities
People
- Carl Wellman
- Lester P. Kuhn
Organizations
- Ballistic Research Laboratory