The kinetics of the electrochemical reduction of molecular nitrogen at gold micro electrodes on yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) solid oxide electrolyte is studied by steady state polarization measurements. From the eta/lg i plot for both cathodic and anodic polarization the apparent transfer coefficients alpha(a) and alpha(c) are evaluated. The sum of alpha(a)+alpha(c) exceeds unity and thus a multistep electron transfer process is suggested. The concept of the stoichiometric number is applied to the electrode reaction N-2 + 6e(-) = 2N(3-) supposing that the overall process involves at least two intermediate species. On the basis of the evaluation of the experimental results the reaction N-2(-) + e(-) reversible arrow N-2(2-) is suggested as the rate determining reaction step for the cathodic nitrogen reduction and nitride formation. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.