Collection of Czechoslovak Chemical Communications - digital archive 

Abstract

Mercury(II) forms very stable water-soluble complexes with metal-to-ligand ratios of 1 : 1, 1 : 2 and 1 : 3 with phosphineacetic acids of the general formula Ph_3-nP(CH₂COOH)_n (n = 1-3). At n = 1 formation of the further 1 : 4 complex was detected. Stability constants of the complexes were determined polarographically and potentiometrically (mercury electrode) in water and in 50% v/v dioxan at I 0.1 (NaClO₄) and 25 °C. Protonation of the complexes as followed from pH-titrations and IR spectra demonstrated that the ligands are monodentate through phosphorus. The ability to form higher complexes (L/Hg > 2) strongly decreases with increasing charge on the ligand anion.