The complexation of Np(V) with aromatic polycarboxylic acids was studi
ed by spectrophotometry at 1 M ionic strength (NaClO4) and 23 degrees
C. The stability constants of the 1:1 complexes decreased in the order
hemimellitate>mellitate>pyromellitate>trimellitate approximate to pht
halate). After correction for statistical effects, the stability const
ants with all ligands except hemimellitate were approximately the same
. For all systems, the data corresponded to bidentate chelation by the
ligand. The greater strength of hemimellitate complexation was attrib
uted to an increase in electron density at the binding site through in
duction from the non-chelating carboxylate group. (C) 1998 Elsevier Sc
ience S.A.