Logarithmic diagrams as an aid in complexometric titrations where 1:2 or 2:1 as well as 1:1 metal-ligand complexes are regarded as principal species.

Logarithmic diagrams have earlier been used for theoretical treatment of complexometric titrations where only the 1:1 complex is formed in the main reaction between a metal ion M and a ligand L. This approach has now been extended to include titrations where 1:2 and 2:1 complexes are also formed. Four different types of diagram can be drawn. These diagrams can be used to determine pM (or pL) at the equivalence point, the titration ratio at different pM (or pL) values and the titration error. One of these diagrams is easy to construct and use. The method also has the advantage that it can directly indicate whether the titration is best performed with 1:1 or 2:1 (1:2) stoichiometry. Two typical examples, namely the titration of a manganese solution with triethylenetetraminehexa-acetic acid and of a copper solution with pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, are discussed. The two titrations proceed with the formation of the complexes Mn(2)L (2: 1) and CuL(2) (1:2) respectively, in addition to the 1:1 complex in each instance.