March 28, 2024, 12:49:02 PM
Forum Rules: Read This Before Posting


Topic: Why does EDTA not complex with single charge cations?  (Read 3110 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Strike

  • Regular Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 26
  • Mole Snacks: +0/-0
Why does EDTA not complex with single charge cations?
« 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+?

Offline Pradeep

  • Regular Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 95
  • Mole Snacks: +5/-3
Re: Why does EDTA not complex with single charge cations?
« Reply #1 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.

Offline Strike

  • Regular Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 26
  • Mole Snacks: +0/-0
Re: Why does EDTA not complex with single charge cations?
« Reply #2 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.

Sponsored Links