Complex Formation of the Uranyl (UO22+) Ion with the Diethylene Triaminopentaacetate (DTPA) Ligand at 25 degrees C in 3 M Sodium Perchlorate

The complex formation between the uranyl (UO22+) ion and the diethylene triaminopentaacetate ligand (DTPA) has been investigated at 25 °C, in a 3 M sodium perchlorate medium. The overall protonation constants βjH of the free ligand have been previously determined in this ionic medium: six protonated species (HjA), with j ranging from 1 to 6, together with the free anion A5− have been identified in the concentration range from (3·10−3 to 13·10−3) mol·kg−1. Four complex species, H2UO2A−, HUO2A2−, UO2A3−, and UO2AOH4−, have been identified in the total uranyl concentration range from (1.1·10−3 to 5.7·10−3) mol·kg−1, and their overall stability constants determined, keeping the metal to ligand ratio equal to 1. Owing to the complex species formation, uranyl ions could be kept in solution until −log h = 7.