Formation of borate esters from, and sequestration of metal ions by, bis(polyhydroxyalkyl)amines and their N-carboxymethyl derivatives studied by (11)B and (13)C NMR spectroscopy

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0008-6215(93)87032-N

Catalytic hydrogenation of aldose oximes affords bis(polyhydroxyalkyl)amines.These compounds and their N-carboxymethyl derivatives react with borate ions to give macrocyclic diborate diesters.The presence of an N-carboxymethyl group raises the capacities for the sequestration of Ca(2+), Cu(2+), and Cd(2+).The N-carboxymethyl derivatives possess strong affinity for Ca(2+) (pH > 11) and Cd(2+) both in the absence and presence of borate.