The reaction of aluminum(III) with chromium(III)DTPA "complex chelating age
nt" has been investigated, in aqueous solution, at 20 degreesC in NaClO4 1.
0 mol dm(-3) by potentiometric methods. In acidic medium and with ligand ex
cess three different complex species (AlCrL+, Al(OH)CrL and Al(CrL)(2) over
bar) were evidenced and, knowing the protonation constants of the chromium
(III)-DTPA complex, the stability constants were calculated. The comparison
of these constants with those of the corresponding complexes of aluminium(
III) with iminodiacetic acid proved the coordination of aluminum(III) occur
s in all cases by iminodiacetic groups. The mononuclear [H2AlL(H2O)] and th
e heterobinuclear [Al(OH)CrL(H2O)(6)] complexes were also obtained as solid
compounds and were characterized by X-ray and IR spectroscopy and thermoan
alytical techniques (TG and DSC).