Complex Formation of Ytterbium (III) with Bromopyrogallol Red—A Spectrophotometric Study

The complex formation of Ytterbium (III) with Bromopyrogallol red has been studied. spectrophotometrically in an attempt to establish composition, stability, thermodynamic parameters and optimum conditions for determining small amounts of ytterbium. The violet complex of ytterbium has λ_max at 620nm against a reagent blank. The composition determined by different methods is 1:1 at pH 6.2±0.1. The mean value of log K, free energy (ΔG), the heat content (ΔH) and entropy (ΔS) changes, of the complex are found to be 6.0, —8.1.kcal/mole, —3.5 Kcal/mole and 15.53 e.U. respectively at 30°C. The net molar absorptivity and Sandell's sensitivity is 19850 and 0.0087 μg of ytterbium /cm². The effect of diverse ions was examined with thirteen cations and ten anions in the determination of ytterbium.