Polarography in Fused Alkali Metaphosphates.

Polarograms were obtained with a cell consisting of a platinum microelectrode inserted in a melt contained in a platinum crucible. No reference electrode was employed; the platinum crucible served as a massive and nonpolarizable anode. Electrolyses were carried out in fused NaPO/sub 3/ at 750 deg C or LiPO/sub 3/- NaPO/sub 3/, it 730 deg C in which a potential span of 0.95 volt was available between the solvent decomposition processes. Twenty oxides and compounds were studied. U/sub 3/O/sub 8/, CuO, FeO, Fe/sub 2/O/sub 3/, and V/ sub 2/O/sub 5/ gav e redox waves. Silver was the only species that could be reduced to the metal. The data are interpreted with respect to probable electrode reactions. (auth)