Metal Complexes with Alizarin Complexone AC: Electronic Absorption Spectra and Ligand Structure

The character of the electronic absorption spectra of metal complexes with alizarin complexone AC is determined by the ionization degree of the ligand and the ratio between its excited states with different contributions of tautomeric 9,10-, 1,10-, 2,9-, and 1,2-anthraquinoid resonance structures. It was found by the spectrophotometric, quantum-chemical, and correlation methods that the ligand in metal complexes can exist in three forms, namely, neutral and two ionized forms (containing one or two deprotonated hydroxy groups). For each of the latter two forms, four excited states with the dominating contribution of the 9,10-, 1,10-, 2,9-, or 1,2-anthraquinoid resonance structures are possible. The formation of red monometallic complexes involves the peri- or ortho-hydroxycarbonyl group in anthraquinoid tautomers (mostly, 1,2- and 2,9-structures). The color of bimetallic complexes is determined by four anthraquinoid structures of the ligand (from red 9,10- to blue 1,10-anthraquinones). Fluorine-containing complexes exist only as 1,2- and 1,10-anthraquinoid structures, which are responsible for their blue color. The known metal complexes with Alizarin Complexone AS were classified by their structures.