Iron(II) ions react with small aggregates of cholate, glycocholate, ch
enodeoxycholate, and deoxycholate to form soluble and colloidal compou
nds. Taurocholate under conditions used does not react with the Fe2+ i
on. Small aggregates of dihydroxy bile salts (predominating in the pre
micellar region, at concentrations of the bile salt above 1 mmol dm(-3
)) have a larger affinity for Fe2+ compared to those formed from chola
te anions. In their interactions with small aggregates of cholate anio
ns, the Fe2+ ion shows an affinity comparable to that of Cu2+ and Cd2 and somewhat larger than that of Zn2+. Small aggregates of cholate sh
ow a higher ability to mask Fe2+ than those of taurocholate and glycoc
holate. Interaction of glycocholic acid anions with Fe2+ ions is suffi
cient to prevent iron(II)precipitation.