Excess iron in the body, or hemochromatosis, can cause serious cell damage. One way to treat excess iron build up is to administer small molecules with a high affinity for iron. The small molecules form a complex ion with the iron, thus allowing the iron to be excreted. One small molecule that could be used to treat excess iron, L (M= 598.60 gmol-1), is shown on the right.

The reaction between Fe3+ and L is:

           Fe3+(aq) + L(aq) ó FeL3+(aq)        Kf= 4.68 * 1025           

1.00L solution of 1.00g/L of Fe3+(aq) has 1.00 mol of L added. What is the equilibrium concentration of iron(lll), (i.e., [Fe3+]eq) in the final solution?