Polarographic determination of stability constants and thermodynamic parameters of lead(II) propanoate and 2-hydroxypropanoate complexes with a computer-controlled system

A computer-controlled electrometric system is described. It is used for d.c. polarographic determinations of the stability constants of lead(II) propanoate and 2-hydroxypropanoate complexes at four temperatures. From the values of the monoligand complex stability constants obtained at different temperatures, standard thermodynamic functions (ΔH_j and ΔS_j) for the first and second steps of complex formation were obtained. Closed-loop interaction between the minicomputer and electrometric instrument was achieved through computer control of the potentiostat, drop-life timer, burette and valve for nitrogen purging. Computer programs are outlined for numerical and statistical evaluation of the experimental data giving E_{$\text{1}\text{2}$}i_d and slope of logarithmic presentation of polarograms, F_o functions and cumulative stability constants, β_j as well as for calculation of the standard thermodynamic functions.