The Influence of Alkyl Chain Length and Steric Effect on the Stability Constants and Extractability of Co(II) Complexes with 1-Alkyl-2-Methylimidazoles

Abstract

Using the liquid-liquid partition method, the formation of Co(II) complexes with 1-alkyl-2-methylimidazoles (where alkyl = C₄H₉ trough C₁₂H₂₅) at 25°C and at a fixed ionic strength of the aqueous phase (I = 0.5, (HL)NO₃, KNO₃) were studied. Dichloromethane, trichloromethane, and 2-ethylhexanol were used as diluents. The tetrahedral and octahedral complexes were formed. Stability constants (β_n) of the complexes as well partition ratios (P_n) of the extracted species were determined. It was shown that both β_n and P_n increased with an increasing 1-alkyl chain length. Tetrahedral complexes are more readily extractable by organic solvent. Their P_n values are the highest.

Keywords:

• solvent extraction
• stability constants
• partition ratios
• Co(II) complexes
• alkylimidazole
• steric effect