Mixed-Ligand Complex Formation Equilibria of Copper(II) with 6-Methylpicolinic Acid and Some Amino Acids

Abstract

In this work, the ternary complex formation among copper(II), 6-methylpicolinic acid (H6Mepic) as primary ligand, and the amino acids aspartic acid (H2Asp), glutamic acid (H2Glu) and histidine (HHis) as secondary ligands, were studied in aqueous solution at 25 °C using 1.0 mol·dm−3 KNO3 as the ionic medium. Analysis of the potentiometric data using the least squares computational program LETAGROP indicates formation of the species [Cu(6Mepic)]+, Cu(6Mepic)(OH), [Cu(6Mepic)(OH)2]−, Cu(6Mepic)2 and [Cu(6Mepic)3]− in the binary Cu(II)–H6Mepic system. In the ternary Cu(II)–H6Mepic–H2Asp system the complexes [Cu(6Mepic)(H2Asp)]+, Cu(6Mepic)(HAsp), [Cu(6Mepic)(Asp)]− and [Cu(6Mepic)(Asp)(OH)]2− were observed. In the case of the Cu(II)–H6Mepic–H2Glu system the complexes Cu(6Mepic)(HGlu), [Cu(6Mepic)(Glu)]−, [Cu(6Mepic)(Glu)(OH)]2− and [Cu(6Mepic)(glu)(OH)2]3− were detected. Finally, in the Cu(II)–H6Mepic–HHis system the complexes [Cu(6Mepic)(HHis)]+, Cu(6Mepic)(His) and [Cu(6Mepic)(His)(OH)]− were observed. The species distribution diagrams as a function of pH are briefly discussed.