Stability of Complexes: Some Elements Concerning the Kinetics of Their Formation

Abstract

The stability of complexes is described by their stability constants, which can take several forms. They permit the calculation of the complex's concentrations and, hence, those of other species after one or several complexation reaction(s) have occurred, provided the equilibrium of the system has been reached. They also permit us to predict ligand exchange reactions between ligands that are free and those that are already bound in complexes. These possibilities are, of course, of considerable importance in chemical analysis. Finally, we can also say that their knowledge permits us, on the strength of numerical values, to identify the structural factors that are at the origin of the formation of complexes. Of course, complex formations also depend on kinetic factors.