Group 2 Metal Complexation by Alpha-Hydroxy Ketones

摘要

Potentiometric study of phenacyl alcohol reveals it to form a 2:1 complex withcalcium in aqueous solution, with a formation constant (log 10 beta) of 3.93 at 37 deg C. In contrast, magnesium appears not to form any complexes under analogous conditions, while strontium and barium form complexes of both 1:1 and 2:1 ligand:metal stoichiometry. The efficiency of complexation of calcium by this simple alpha-hydroxy ketone and its high ability to discriminate between calcium and magnesium are both rather remarkable given the simplicity of its binding site.