UV/visible spectrophotometric studies of the interactions of thiomolybdates, copper(II) and other ligands

Thiomolybdates (TMs) formed in the rumen are known to be involved in copper deficiency in ruminants. However, which particular TMs are formed has been an issue of contention. In this study, we have measured the relative propo rtions of the different TMs, formed under conditions simulating those withi n the rumen fluid of ruminants prone to copper deficiency, using UV/visible spectroscopy. Pure synthesized TMs have also been used to study spectropho tometrically the interactions between the TMs and copper(II) in the presenc e and absence of some inorganic ligands, low molecular mass complexing agen ts and bovine serum albumin in aqueous solutions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.