Abstract
SULPHAMIC acid (aminosulphonic acid) decomposes nitrites quantitatively1 with evolution of nitrogen gas according to the equation 
The reaction, which is very specific and strongly catalysed by hydrogen ions, may be used for the removal of interfering nitrites, for example, when testing for nitrates2, or in water analysis as part of the Winkler method for dissolved oxygen determinations, where nitrites will cause serious error unless removed. For this latter purpose, according to Cohen and Ruchhoft3, sulphamic acid possesses distinct advantages over sodium azide.
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References
Yost, D. M., and Russel, jun., H., “Systematic Inorganic Chemistry” (Oxford University Press, 1946).
Feigl, F., “Qualitative Analyses by Spot Tests” (3rd (English) edit., Elsevier Pub. Co., 1947).
Cohen, S., and Ruchhoft, C. C., Indust. and Eng. Chem., Anal. Edit., 13, 622 (1941).
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HORA, F., JONES, A. Sulphamic Acid as a Test for Nitrate-reducing Bacteria. Nature 166, 351 (1950). https://doi.org/10.1038/166351a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/166351a0
