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 proportions of the different TMs, formed under conditions simulating those within the rumen fluid of ruminants prone to copper deficiency, using UV/visible spectroscopy. Pure synthesized TMs have also been used to study spectrophotometrically the interactions between the TMs and copper(II) in the presence and absence of some inorganic ligands, low molecular mass complexing agents and bovine serum albumin in aqueous solutions.