Studies on halogen derivatives of phenylazochromotropic acid: I. The acid-base properties

The acid-base properties of six halogen derivatives of phenylazochromotropic acid have been studied in an attempt to apply them as metallochromic or chromophoric indicators. The absorption spectra are studied in buffer solutions of varying pH values. The variation of spectra with pH indicates the presence of two equilibria between H₂D^2?, HD^3? and D^4? species. The pK values of the naphthlenic OH groups are determined spectrophotometrically and are discussed in relation to molecular structure while those of the sulfonic acid groups are determined potentiometrically.