Comparative Studies on the Complex-Formation Equilibria of Mercury(II) with Acetylcysteine and Captopril

Abstract

The complex-formation equilibria of mercury(II) with acetylcysteine and captopril have been studied by pH-metric and liquid-liquid extraction methods applying dithizone as a competitive ligand during the latter measurements. The stability constants of three differently protonated Hg(II)/ligand 1:2 complexes of extreme stability have been determined by the combination of extraction and pH-metric data.The formation of the less stabil Hg(II)-ligand 1:3 complexes with the coordination of three sulfhydrilate groups has been followed and the values of βThe differences in the Hg(II) complex formation and protonation equilibria between the two ligands and the possible binding sites in the complexes have been discussed.