Equilibria occurring between beryllium (II) and salicylate ions.

The complexation equilibria between Be2+ and the hydrogen salicylate (HL-) ions have been studied, at 25 degrees C, by potentiometric measurements with a glass electrode in 3 M NaClO4. The concentrations of metal (CM) and ligand (CL) were varied between 10(-3) and 0.03 M and 2 x 10(-3) and 0.03 M, respectively, while 1 < or = CL/CM < or = 3. The hydrogen ion concentration ranged from 10(-3) to 10(-5.3) M when basic salts start to precipitate. The equilibria can be written in the general form as: pBe2+ + rHL- <==> Be(p)H(-q) (HL)r(2p-r-q) + qH+, log beta(pqr). The experimental data have been explained with the formation of BeHL+ (log beta101 = 1.46 +/- 0.05), BeL (log beta111 = -0.897 +/- 0.018), BeL2(2-) (log beta122 = -3.746 +/- 0.021), Be2(OH)L2- (log beta232 = -5.23 +/- 0.09), Be3(OH)3L3(3-) (log beta363 = -14.39 +/- 0.12). The uncertainties represent 3sigma. The predominant complex in the whole concentration range studied is the uncharged mononuclear species BeL.