Stability constants of europium complexes with a nitrogen heterocycle substituted methane-1,1-diphosphonic acid

Even in moderately acidic solutions ([H{sup +}] > 0.01 M), N-piperidinomethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid (H{sub 4}PMDPA) is a strong complexant of trivalent lanthanide ions that shows enhanced complex solubility over previously studied 1,1-diphosphonic acids. The protonation constants of PMDPA in 2.0 M H/NaClO{sub 4} were determined by potentiometric and NMR titrations, and the stability constants for formation of complexes with Eu{sup 3+} were determined by solvent extraction. Difference in protonation equilibria induced by addition of the nitrogen heterocycle results in an increase in the complexation strength of PMDPA. In solutions containing 0.1 M H{sup +} and ligand concentrations greater than 0.02 M, PMDPA is the most effective 1,1-diphosphonic acid for europium complexation studied thus far