Catalytic Hydrogenation of Azide Ion in Process Waste Waters

Abstract

Sodium azide is being applied not only in air bag inflators but also in organic syntheses producing azide ions containing process waste waters, mostly in alkaline aqueous solutions. The elimination of azide ions was attained in these process waste waters with hydrogenation under pressure with skeletal type nickel catalyst. The azide instantaneously reacts with the hydrogen content of the Raney-nickel. In sufficient amount it can even completely deactivate the catalyst.