Salt effects on the protonation of imidazole in aqueous solution at different ionic strengths: A tentative explanation by a complex formation model

Imidazole protonation constants were determined potentiometrically, using a (H⁺)-glass electrode, in LiCl, NaCl, KCl, CaCl₂, MgCl₂, tetramethylammonium (Me₄N-) iodide and chloride, Et₄N-, Pr₄N- and Bu₄N-iodides. Salt effects were tentatively explained by assuming that complexes H(Im)X]^o (Im = imidazole, X^–=Cl^– or I^–), M(Im)]²⁺ (M²⁺=Mg²⁺ or Ca²⁺) and A(Im)]⁺ (A⁺ = tetraalkylammonium cation) were formed in solution. Calcium(II)-selective electrode measurements confirmed our hypothesis about the formation of the Ca²⁺-imidazole complex. The reliability of the complex formation model is discussed on the basis of its self consistency and in light of previous results.