Thermodynamics of ligand exchange reactions between bis(dithiocarbamato)copper(II) and copper(II) salts. An EPR study

EPR spectroscopy was chosen to investigate the ligand exchange reactions between copper(II) bis(dithiocarbamate), Cu(dtc)2, and copper(II) salts which proceeds with the formation of mixed-ligand complexes of the type Cu(dtc)X, where X = Cl, NO3, ClO4. Large concentrations of 1:1 mixed-ligand complexes of this type are obtained as indicated by the EPR spectra of acetone, CHCl3/EtOH, CHCl3/i-PrOH, CCl4/EtOH and CCl4/i-PrOH, solutions of Cu(dtc)2 and the appropriate copper(II) salt CuCl2, Cu(NO3)2 or Cu(ClO4)2. Double integration of Cu(dtc)2 EPR signals obtained at temperatures between 240 and 310 K affords the calculation of the equilibrium constant (K) of the reaction: Cu(dtc)2 + CuX2 <==> 2 Cu(dtc)X in all solvents as a function of T. From the values of K the stability constant beta of the mixed-ligand complexes has been derived. The error associated with the calculated stability constant is +/- 10%. Thermodynamic parameters (deltaH0, deltaG0 and deltaS0) are determined from the temperature dependence of K as measured by EPR spectroscopy.