An analysis of distinguishing composite dissolved metal–ligand systems measurable by stripping voltammetry

Voltammetry is a method able to distinguish in certain degree the speciation of dissolved metals. An analysis of its ability to discern composite and more complex dissolved metal–ligand systems has been carried out by simulating the experiments for determination of metal–ligand complexing parameters. Logarithmic equidistant addition of metal was presumed, covering 2.5 decades. The data obtained with the preset parameter values were subsequently fitted to the presumed models. Data points under the detection limit DL = 10 −10 mol L −1 were eliminated and random noise following a realistic shape was added to the points to approach them to the real experiment. Four models were applied for simulation and up to five models for fitting. The analysis of the results shows that with the nowadays state-of-the-art measurement and data treatment techniques, in most of the cases it was possible to distinguish more complex and also more probable bi-ligand and mixed metal–ligand complexes from the simpler 1:1 metal–ligand systems. Statistical evidences to validate the right model were given. Its applicability has been confirmed by generating a similar data mining server (DMS) rule.