Diverse Ions. The effect of many diverse ions was studied using the procedure described in the experimental section for the analysis of 4 ppm of bismuth. An error of less than 2.5 was considered negligible. The results of this study are summarized in Table 111.Iron(II1) and mercury(I1) are reduced by the ascorbic acid and can be tolerated only in small amounts. Iron(I1) slowly reduces the heteropoly acid to heteropoly blue, but if the samples are measured very soon after preparation, small amounts of iron(I1) can be tolerated. Apparently the reduction by iron is considerably slower than that by ascorbic acid and has only a small effect on the rate. Fluoride interferes seriously, probably by complexing with the Mo(V1). Chloride is the only other important anion interference but no explanation for its interference can presently be offered.Advantages of the Rate Method. The reaction rate method has many advantages over conventional spectrophotometric methods using similar chemical systems. In the rate method it is not necessary to make absorbance measurements at a very carefully selected time in order to avoid or compensate for blank absorption. The presence of other materials that absorb at the measurement wavelength or that impart a turbidity to the solution will not normally interfere in the reaction rate method. These advantages coupled with the excellent precision and good sensitivity obtainable should make this a very useful method.The response, selectivity, and use of the 3 9 0 4 7 and 39137 Beckman cationic electrodes for the determination of NH 4+ activity are reported. Both electrodes were found to respond to NH4: in the concentration range 10-1 to lO-5M with a deviation of f 0.5 mV in the 10-1 to 1O-M region and =t 20 mV at 10-4 to lo-5M region. The response characteristics of the micro 3 9 0 4 7 electrode were found to be Ag+ > H+ > K+ > NH4+ > Na+ > Li+>>Mg*, Ca2+. Those of the 39137 electrode were Ag+ > K+ > H+ > NH4+ ? Na+ > Li+ > Mgz+, Ca2+. At a pH of 7 the only serious interferences in the assay of [NH 4+] are Ag+ and K+. Both electrodes were used for the assay of deaminase enzyme systems: u rea-u rea se, g luta m i ne-g I u ta m i n a se, as pa ragi neasparaginase, D-and L-amino acids-amino acid oxidases. All substrates and enzymes could be assayed with a precision and accuracy of about 2.5%. 2) are finding widespread use in analytical chemistry. Excellent reviews on ion selective electrodes and their applications have been prepared by Rechnitz (3, 4).Beckman (5) markets a cationic electrode (39137, formerly designated 78137) that has a reported selectivity H+ > Ag+ > K*, NH4+ > Na' > Li+ >> Mgz+, Ca2+. This electrode has