Chapter 13 “EDTA” Titrations It’s a Complex World Out There

Chapter 13

“EDTA” TitrationsIt’s a Complex World Out There

Terms Ligand - Each of the atoms or groups

attached to the central (usually the metal) atom of a co-ordination complex. (OED)

Lewis Acids. Electron pair acceptors (Metal Ions)

Lewis Bases. Electron pair donators – the ligands

Terms Monodentate – one atom per ligand molecule. Multidentate – more than one ligand atom per

ligand molecule. (Chelating ligand) Applied to a group (ligand) that loops round a central metal ion to be attached at

two or more points, and also to the co-ordination compound so formed. Hence as n., a chelate compound.

Chelate - Having chelæ or prehensile claws. Most Transition metals bind six ligand atoms.

Examples of Ligands and complexes.

Cyanide Ethylenediamine EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)

Example of Complexing ligands in nature and Medicine Nonactin - an ionophore

Ferrioxamine B

EDTA Acid Base Properties EDTA is hexaprotic. pKa’s are 0.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.66, 6.16 and

10.24 First four are for carboxylate protons The neutral compound is tetraprotic. A common salt is Na2H2Y.2H2O The Y4- form is the one that binds

EDTA The fraction in that form is:

][][][][][][][][

4322345

26

4

4

YYHYHYHYHYHYHY

Y

Fractional Form Hn +++ K Format

Conditional Formation Constants

]][[][ 4

'4

EDTAMMYKK n

n

fYf

Conditional Formation Constants Since these are a function of pH the

control of pH allow us to determine the strength of the metal ligand complex.

This can be seen in the EDTA titration of Ca2+

Most Metal Ions will form Hydroxides Auxiliary Complexing agents are used.

Ammonia for zinc for example.

Indicators Same function as with acid base

indicators but with excess EDTA you remove a metal from the indicator thus changing its color.

Techniques Direct Titration Back Titration (Al ion with excess EDTA) Titrate

excess EDTA with Zn Displacement Titration – Metal ion is place in a

solution with excess CaEDTA. The Ca displaced is then titrated with standard EDTA.

Indirect Titration – SO4 _- Add Excess Ba – filter and boil solid with excess EDTA. Amount of excess EDTA determined by titration with Mg

Techniques Masking

Other ligands are added and block an interfering metal ion from reacting with the EDTA

These systems can get very complex but and work quite well - Follow cook book procedures. You would want to validate you procedure.