Complex formation equilibria of some beta-amino-alcohols with lead(II) and cadmium(II) in aqueous solution

A study of complex formation equilibria of some beta-amino-alcohols with lead(II) and cadmium(II) ions at 25 degrees C and in 0.5 M KNO(3) is reported. The amino-alcohols considered are 2-amino-1-propanol, 2-amino-1-butanol, 2-amino-1-pentanol and 2-amino-1,3-propanediol. sec-Buthylamine and 2-amino-1-methoxy-propane have been also considered for comparison. The results are discussed in terms of ligand structure, paying attention to the number of hydroxyl groups and to the length of the alkyl residual. A weak contribution of the alcoholic oxygen in the coordination of cadmium(II) and the presence of a mixed hydroxyl species in lead(II) containing systems are hypothesized.