Applications of the Formation of Complexes in Inorganic Analysis

Abstract

The formation of complexes is frequently used in qualitative and quantitative inorganic analysis.

Qualitative inorganic analysis carried out through the formation of complexes frequently involves other physicochemical phenomena in addition to that of complexation. Thus, there often exists a superimposition of several processes, among which complexation is present. The latter may indeed be followed, for example, by a precipitation. This is often the case with organic reagents such as oximes, dimethylglyoxime, cupferron, and so forth. As a result, gravimetric measurements might also be considered here. We will not consider them, however (see Part V, which is devoted to precipitation phenomena). The formed complexes may also be extracted in organic solvents that are very poorly miscible with water. Once extracted, and because of their characteristic UV spectra, these complexes can often be quantitatively analyzed by absorption measurements. All these cases are evoked in other parts of the book.