Complexes of Silver with Histidine and Imidazole Investigated by the Calorimetric and Potentiometric Methods

The stability constants and enthalpies of formation of silver (I) complexes with histidine and imidazole were determined. Two types of complexes were found: AgL⁺ and AgL⁺₂. The second is much more stable that is evidenced by the higher stability constants and enthalpies of formation. For the two systems, the respective constants and enthalpies are very close one to another that suggests similar complexation mechanisms. Most probably, the linear complexes through the N-3 pyridinic atoms are being formed. The calorimetric and potentiometric methods gave virtually the same results for the system silver + imidazole. However, the potentiometric method failed for the histidine system. The molecule of histidine has three protonation spots, two of these probably do not take part in the complexation but their protonation equilibria may shift upon joining the ions of silver and influence the pH of the system in that way