The amide oxygen donor. Metal ion coordinating properties of the ligand nitrilotriacetamide. A thermodynamic and crystallographic study.

The metal ion coordinating properties of ntam (nitrilotriacetamide) are reported. The protonation constant (pK) for ntam is 2.6 in 0.1 M NaClO(4) at 25 degrees C. Formation constants (log K(1)) in 0.1 M NaClO(4) at 25 degrees C, determined by (1)H NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopy are: Ca(II), 1.28; Mg(II), 0.4; La(III), 2.30; Pb(II), 3.69; Cd(II), 3.78; Ni(II), 2.38; Cu(II), 3.16. The measured log K(1) values for the ntam complexes are discussed in terms of the low basicity of the N-donor, as evidenced by the pK, and the effect of metal ion size on complex stability. The amide O-donors of ntam lead to the stabilization of complexes of large metal ions (Pb(II), Cd(II), La(III), Ca(II)) relative to log K1 for the NH3 complexes, while for small metal ions (Ni(II), Cu(II)) the amide O-donors lead to destabilization. This is discussed in terms of the role of chelate ring size in controlling metal ion size-based selectivity. The structures of [Pb(ntam)(NO3)2]2 (1) and [Ca2(ntam)3(H2O)2](ClO4)4.3H2O (2) are reported. For 1: triclinic, space group P1, a = 7.4411(16), b = 9.0455(19), c = 11.625(3) A, alpha = 69.976(4), beta = 79.591(4), gamma = 67.045(3) degrees, Z = 2, R = 0.0275. For 2: monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c, a = 10.485(2), b = 11.414(2), c = 38.059(8) A, beta = 92.05(3) degrees, Z = 4, R = 0.0634. Structure 1 is dimeric with two Pb atoms linked by bridging O-donors from the two ntam ligands. The coordination sphere consists of one N-donor and 3 O-donors from the ntam ligand, two O-donors from nitrates, and one bridging O-donor. The variation in bond length suggests a stereochemically active lone pair of electrons on the Pb. Structure 2 consists of two Ca(II) ions held together by 3 bridging O-donors from ntam groups. One Ca is 9-coordinate with two ntam ligands present, plus one bridging O-donor from the other Ca(II) ntam complex. The other Ca is 8-coordinate, with a single coordinated ntam, plus two coordinated H2O molecules, and two bridging O-donors from the other half of the complex. The role of M-O=C bond angles in controlling selectivity for metal ions on the basis of their size is discussed.