Modelling complex solution equilibria. II. Systems involving ligand substitutions and uncertainties in equilibrium constants derived from formation constants
A general formalism is presented that expresses equilibrium constants K as combinations of pseudo-formation constants ψ. For equilibria involving complexes as reactants that undergo ligand substitutions, this formalism allows a reduction in the number of equations needed to model the system for faster calculation of species concentrations and refinement of unknown parameters. Gauss–Newton refinement of log ψ parameters is shown to be equivalent to that of log K parameters. Equations are developed for the calculation of uncertainties in log K and correlation coefficients between them from the corresponding values obtained for log ψ parameters. These equations can also be used to calculate the same quantities for constants (such as Ka's) derived from true formation constants. Keywords: Gauss–Newton, ligand substitution, equilibrium constants, formation constants.