Spectroscopic and Theoretical Study of Cyanidin–Aluminum (III) Complexes

Abstract Complexation of aluminum (III) with cyanidin, a natural anthocyanidin molecule, has been investigated in methanol and buffered solutions of pH 3.0 and 4.0. Electronic absorption spectroscopy was performed to characterize the stoichiometry and stability of the complexes formed. In investigated solvents, aluminum bonded moderately to cyanidin requiring large mole ratios of the components (up to 200) for the access of complexation. Molar ratio plots showed the formation of only one complex with stoichiometry aluminum (III):cyanidin of 1∶1 in both investigated media. Semiempirical calculations, performed in the Austin Model 1 parameterization, enabled the determination of the structural features of free compounds as well as complex structural modifications caused by chelation of Al(III).