Binary and ternary complexes of some inner transition metal ions with amino acids and acetyl acetone

The stability constants of the 1:1 and 1:2 (whenever possible) complexes formed between La3+, Ce3+, Th4+ and the amino acid anions L-alaninate, L-phenylalaninate and L-histidinate were determined by potentiometric titration in aqueous solution (25±1 ○C, I = 0.1 M KCl) and compared together with the constants previously determined. The various formation degree of the resulting M(L) and M(L)2 were determined. In order to relate the formation degree of M(L) and M(L)2 with the basicity of the amino acid anion (L-), the acidity constants of the protonated amino acids, H2L+, were also measured. The main results of this work prove that Th4+ ion forms the strongest complex with the studied amino acids. It is the only ion which forms a 1:2 complex. The heterocyclic ring of histidine plays a significant role in complexing with the studied metal ions as is clearly seen from the distribution of the degree of formation of the different complexes. The stability constants of the 1:1:1, 1:2:1 and 1:1:2 complexes formed between La3+, Ce3+, Th4+ and the anions L-alaninate, L-phenylalaninate and L-histidinate together with the acetyl acetonate ion were also determined following the same experimental set up used in the study of the simple complexes. The mixed-ligand complexes turned out to be very much stronger than the simple ligand complexes. Formation of a mixed ligand complex can be considered as a type of senergism