Complexation Mass-Balance and Equilibria Equations

In a solution in which a metal M occurs in several successive mononulcear complexes of M (complexes containing one M atom) with ligand L, the total metal concentration is defined by the mass-balance equation 

ILL and TM are related through a concept called the extent of complex formation, or average ligand number, n, first suggested by J. Bjemim (cf. Beck 1970). This equals 

TABLE 3.2 Some important ligands and the nature of their bonding in complexes 

Note Inorganic ligands are chiefly monodentate, whereas organic ligands are most often multi-dentate in complexes. 

Source Modified after Pagenkopf (1978) and Phillips and Williams (1965). 

---