Laboratory Instruction

Measuring of Carbohydrazide with Machery Nagel DEHA1 Kit

When measuring the amount of DEHA with the DEHA 1 test from Macherey Nagel, the sample
reacts with Iron(III)oxide to Iron(II + III)oxide. The Iron(II) ions react with the R2 solution and
give a purple discolouration which is proportional to the amount of reduced Iron ions. General
with Carbohydrazide it works the same way.

However, Carbohydrazide and DEHA react with Iron in different ratios, which can be seen from
the equations below.

DEHA: 6Fe2O3 + (C2H5)2NOHà 4Fe3O4 + C2H5NO + C2H4O + H2O

Carbohydrazide: 12Fe2O3 + OC(N2H3)2 à 8Fe3O4 + 3H2O + 2N2 + CO2

DEHA reduces Iron(III)oxide in a proportion of 1:6 whereas Carbohydrazide reduces in a

proportion of 1:12. As a result a reaction with Carbohydrazide emits double the amount of
Iron(II)oxide compared to DEHA. Therefore the result has to be divided by 2 when measuring
Carbohydrazide.

Weber, PTEC B2