An investigation into the determination of stability constants of metal complexes by convolution-deconvolution cyclic voltammetry

A technique is described for calculating stability constants of metal-ligand complexes from convolution-deconvolution voltammetry. Semi-integration of the cyclic voltammetric currents with respect to time allows calculation of E(1 2 ) values in a manner comparable to the use in polarography of the Heyrovsky-Ilkovic equation. The technique described also allows determination of the ratio of the diffusion coefficients of the free and complexed metal ions and provides a second check of the stoichiometry. A reliable route to the metal-complex stability constants by the equations of Lingane and DeFord and Hume is therefore obtained. Advantages of this technique compared with the use of polarography, differential pulse polarography and pH titrations are discussed, with the complexes formed by cadmium with glycine, alanine, valine and aspartic acid as examples.