Silver(I) complexation with tertiary amines in toluene

Abstract

The extent of complexation between silver(I) nitrate and triethylamine and tri-n-butylamine in toluene solutions at 23 °C has been determined by infrared spectroscopy. Both amines produced a mixture of monoamine and diamine silver complexes, and the second stepwise formation constants (K₂) are reported. Infrared and atomic absorption experiments on solutions saturated with silver nitrate also yielded formal values of the first formation constant (K₁) and of the solubility product (K_s) of silver nitrate in toluene. The results showed that Et₃N coordinates more strongly with silver(I) in toluene than does Bu₃ⁿN. The values of K₁ in toluene were found to be 4–5 powers of ten higher than in protic and dipolar aprotic solvents, while the values of K₂ were smaller. Structural and solvation reasons are given to explain these results.