Polarographic behaviour of uranyl ion in maleic acid and maleate buffer solutions

The polarographic behaviour of uranyl ion in maleic acid solution shows two reduction waves. The half wave potential of the first wave is shifted to more negative values in contrast to that of the second wave, which is shifted to less negative potentials on increase of the pH of the solution. The first wave represents the reduction of the 1:1 uranyl-maleate complex, while the second wave represents the reduction of the 1:2 complex. The presence of 1:1 and 1:2 complexes is supported by spectrophotometric and conductometric methods. The stability constants were also determined and the reduction mechanism is discussed. (Author)