4. Applications

4.1 Analytical chemistry applications

Complexometric titrations are the best-known application of complexes in analytical chemistry. In this type of titration, the species to be determined is very frequently a hydrated metal ion. To the aqueous solution containing this ion, a ligand is gradually added which reacts rapidly and quantitatively with the ion to form a stable complex. To detect the titration end-point, a small quantity of another ligand can be added, forming a color complex with the metal ion, which is labile and less stable than the complex formed during titration. It is also possible to detect the term by potentiometry. For more details on these titrations, please refer to