Lanthanide complexes of D-penicillamine: formation constants,spectral and thermal properties

The complex-formation of lanthanide(III) elements with D-penicillamine have been investigated in acidic and neutral media. The macroscopic protonation constants of the ligand and the formation constants of Ln.Pen]⁺, Ln.Pen₂]^?, Ln.Pen.OH] and Ln.Pen.(OH)₂]^? complexes were determined from pH-metric data using the BEST computer program. Elemental analyses of the solid complexes indicate formation of 1?:?1 metal?:?ligand species. The binding sites in the complexes with the possible role of –COO^?, –NH₂ and –SH groups in the coordination have been discussed using infrared data. The complexes decompose in four steps as shown by their t.g. and d.t.a. analyses. A mechanism of decomposition is proposed which is supported by mass spectral data.