Complexation Chemistry

This lecture covers the thermodynamics framework of complexation chemistry, including ligands, hard and soft acid and base principle, inner- and outer-sphere complexes, adsorption, and competition among ligands. It explains the formation of metal-ligand complexes, the general equations for complex formation, and the variety of ligands such as soluble inorganic, particle surface, organic, and synthetic ligands. The lecture also discusses the HSAB principle, metal ion hydration spheres, Irwing-Williams series, increasing softness and toxicity of metal ions, and the role of surface ligands in adsorption and immobilization. The key takeaway is that complexation governs the fate of metal ions in the environment and living organisms, influenced by the HSAB principle and explaining toxicity and residence time through complexation reactions.