In 8*10^-^7M phenanthroline-0.02M thiourea medium (ethanolamine buffer, pH =8.3), by using Na2SO3 to remove dissolved oxygen, cobalt ion can produce a sensitive catalytic wave with a peak shape on dc polarography. Ep=1.62V (vs. S.C.E.), detection limit is 1 X 10^-^1^0M. There is a linear dependence of peak height on cobalt concentration over a range of 2 X 10^-^1^0 - 4 X 10^-^8 M. Common ions which are not more than 1000-fold of Co^2^+ do not interfere the determination of cobalt, except Ni^2^+ and As^3^+ which are permitted to only 125 and 300-fold respectively. Good results are obtained in determining traces of cobalt in various samples by this method.

Key words: COBALT, THIOUREAS, POLAROGRAPHIC ANALYSIS, CATALYTIC WAVE, PHENANTHROLINE, TERNARY COMPOUNDS