THE THERMAL DECOMPOSITION OF SODIUM AND POTASSIUM  NITRITES. PART I. STREAMING OF NITROGEN AND CARBON  DIOXIDE AND ACTION OF MAGNESIUM OXIDE  ON THE FUSEDS NITRITES

Experiments have been planned to elucidate the mechanism of the reactions occurring in the de­compoaition of sodium and potassium nitrites. The primary stage is 2KNO₂ \(\rightleftharpoons\) K₂O+NO+NO2 : this appears to be followed by the action of the nitrogen peroxide on the potassium oxide as (K₂O+2NO₂\(\rightarrow\)KNO₂+KNO₃), while nitrogen production appears to result from the action of nitrio oxide on the nitrite.