Determination of total hydrolysable nitrogen in acidic aqueous solutions of nitriles containing cyanide

Abstract

A method is described for the determination of total hydrolysable nitrogen in acidic aqueous solutions containing acrylonitrile, acetonitrile, hydrogen cyanide and ammonia. A recovery of about 97 per cent. is obtained for all the components examined. The method is based on the classical Radziszewski reaction, and involves reaction with 30 per cent. w/v hydrogen peroxide followed by alkaline hydrolysis to ammonia. The important feature of the method is that it enables hydrogen cyanide to be determined together with the other components.