Catalytic evolution of hydrogen from solutions of pyridine complexes of Ni and Co at mercury electrodes

Abstract

Metallic nickel and cobalt deposited from pyridine base solutions at the dropping mercury electrode cause catalytic discharge of hydrogen ions. At higher temperatures of the electrolysed solution the catalytic effect disappears. It has been found that pyridine is reduced simultaneously with the hydrogen-ion discharge. The mechanism of the overall reaction has been explained on the basis of parallel polarographic experiments and activity measurements carried out with Co60.