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Chemistry Forums for Students => Analytical Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: Strike on March 05, 2012, 10:43:34 PM

Title: Why does EDTA not complex with single charge cations?
Post by: Strike on March 05, 2012, 10:43:34 PM

EDTA can have up to 6 election pair donators and only complexes in a 1:1 ratio regardless of the charge of the cation.

It can complex with 2+ cations very easily, but why not 1+?

Title: Re: Why does EDTA not complex with single charge cations?
Post by: Pradeep on March 08, 2012, 06:34:22 AM

I heard that, because +1 cations cant accommodate the electrons pairs received from the ligand without repulsion. But I am not very sure about the answer.

Title: Re: Why does EDTA not complex with single charge cations?
Post by: Strike on March 19, 2012, 05:09:45 PM

Ah that makes sense.

I've also been told that EDTA binds to singly-charged cations weakly because they lack the orbitals into which electrons can be donated.