Formal potentials, conditional constants thermodynamic data

A frequent complication is that several simultaneous equilibria must be considered (Section 3-1). Our objective is to simplify mathematical operations by suitable approximations, without loss of chemical precision. An experienced chemist with sound chemical instinct usually can handle several solution equilibria correctly. Frequently, the greatest uncertainty in equilibrium calculations is imposed not so much by the necessity to approximate as by the existence of equilibria that are unsuspected or for which quantitative data for equilibrium constants are not available. Many calculations can be based on concentrations rather than activities, a procedure justifiable on the practical grounds that values of equilibrium constants are obtained by determining equilibrium concentrations at finite ionic strengths and that extrapolated values at zero ionic strength are unavailable. Often the thermodynamic values based on activities may be less useful than the practical values determined under conditions comparable to those under which the values are used. Similarly, thermodynamically significant standard electrode potentials may be of less immediate value than formal potentials measured under actual conditions. 

Additional disproportionation and cross-redox reactions associated with the redox system described in Fig. Il.l.ld (Eqs. II.l.l and II.1.2) are difficult to monitor directly by cyclic voltammetry but still may have subtle effects on cyclic voltammetric data. These so-called thermodynamically superfluous reactions [15] can be derived from the voltammetric data because the equilibrium constant data can be calculated from the formal potentials and protonation equilibrium constants. For the resolution of this type of complex reaction scheme, data obtained over a wide range of conditions and at different concentrations are required. 

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