Ionic strength dependence of formation constants. Part 4. Potentiometric study of the system Cu2+-Ni2+-citrate

Summary The ternary Cu²⁺-Ni²⁺-citrate (cit^3–) system was investigated potentiometrically in aqueous solution, at different temperatures, 10t45°C, and ionic strengths, 0.03I0.8 mol dm^–3, using potassium nitrate or tetraethylammonium bromide as background salt. Since the citrate anion forms weak complexes with potassium, the stability constants here reported differ according to whether the potassium association is considered or not. In the presence of both Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺, the mixed metal species, CuNi(cit)₂H_–2]^4– is formed with citrate in solution, in addition to the various binary complexes. We have obtained the dependence for all the formation constants on ionic strength and temperature. The previous suggestions concerning a general equation for describing the dependence, log =f(I), are confirmed; from the study of log =f(T) we have obtained the values of thermodynamic parameters. The dependence of H on ionic strength is discussed.