A catalytic composition obtained by coprecipitation, used in purification of gaseous effluents polluted by nitrogen oxides, comprising as active elements, iron and chrominum in oxide form associated with alumina and, optionally, a promoter selected from the rare earth oxides, taken separately or in combination, and crude platinum metals, in which the content or rare earth oxides, when present, is between 0.1 and 1% by weight in relation to the active material;
- wherein the specific surface of said composition is between 50 and 300 m.sup.2 /g and the dimensions of the pores between 40 and 50,000 A.