Abstract
The iron complexes found in solutions containing FeCl
3
and 2,3-dihydroxypyridine and 2-mercapto-3-pyridinol have been studied by pH and conductance titrations together with Mössbauer spectroscopy. Some of these complexes are identified as Fe
II
species not unlike Fe
II
catechol and Fe
II
enterobactin complexes. Black precipitates formed in these systems give evidence for the presence of radicals and such radicals are offered as an explanation for the presence of Fe
II
. It is proposed, in view of the findings of this paper that 2,3-dihydroxypyridine and 2-mercapto-3-pyridinol are unsuitable as analytical agents for iron analysis.