Multinuclear complex formation in aqueous solutions of Ca(II) and heptagluconate ions.

The equilibria and structure of complexes formed between the Ca(2+) ion and the heptagluconate (Hglu(-)) ion in both neutral and alkaline solutions have been studied. In alkaline solutions an uncharged, multinuclear complex is formed with the composition of Ca3Hglu2(OH)4 (or [Ca3Hglu2H(-4)](0)) with an unexpectedly high stability constant (lg β(32-4) = 14.09). The formation of the trinuclear complex was deduced from potentiometry and confirmed by freezing-point depression measurements and conductometry as well. The binding sites of Hglu(-) were determined from NMR measurements. Besides the carboxylate group, the O atoms on the second and third carbon atoms proved to be the most probable sites for Ca(2+) binding.