RESUMEN
The values of the second dissociation constant, pK(2) of N-(2-hydroxyethyl) piperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) have been reported at 12 temperatures over the temperature range 5 to 55 degrees C, including 37 degrees C. This paper reports the results for the pa(H) of eight isotonic saline buffer solutions with an I = 0.16 mol*kg(-1) including compositions: (a) HEPES (0.01 mol*kg(-1)) + NaHEPES (0.01 mol*kg(-1)) + NaCl (0.15 mol*kg(-1)); (b) HEPES (0.02 mol*kg(-1)) + NaHEPES (0.02 mol*kg(-1)) + NaCl (0.14 mol*kg(-1)); (c) HEPES (0.03 mol*kg(-1)) + NaHEPES (0.03 mol*kg(-1)) + NaCl (0.13 mol*kg(-1)); (d) HEPES (0.04 mol*kg(-1)) + NaHEPES (0.04 mol*kg(-1)) + NaCl (0.12 mol*kg(-1)); (e) HEPES (0.05 mol*kg(-1)) + NaHEPES (0.05 mol*kg(-1)) + NaCl (0.11 mol*kg(-1)); (f) HEPES (0.06 mol*kg(-1)) + NaHEPES (0.06 mol*kg(-1)) + NaCl (0.10 mol*kg(-1)); (g) HEPES (0.07 mol*kg(-1)) + NaHEPES (0.07 mol*kg(-1)) + NaCl (0.09 mol*kg(-1)); and (h) HEPES (0.08 mol*kg(-1)) + NaHEPES (0.08 mol*kg(-1)) + NaCl (0.08 mol*kg(-1)). Conventional pa(H) values, for all eight buffer solutions from 5 to 55 degrees C have been calculated. The operational pH values with liquid junction corrections, at 25 and 37 degrees C have been determined based on the NBS/NIST standard between the physiological phosphate standard and four buffer solutions. These are recommended as pH standards for physiological fluids in the range of pH 7.3 to 7.5 at I = 0.16 mol*kg(-1).
