The complexes formed
between Pb
2+
and 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic
acid (DOTA) were reinvestigated in aqueous solutions using a combination
of pH potentiometry, UV–vis spectroscopy, and NMR spectroscopy.
The thermodynamic data were supported by kinetics assays. Differently
protonated complexes,
i.e
., [PbH
3
L]
+
, [PbH
2
L], [PbHL]
−
, and [PbL]
2–
, were detected, and the corresponding stability constants
(log
β
) at
T
= 298 K and
I
= 0.1 M NaCl were 33.1 ± 0.2, 32.00 ± 0.06,
29.28 ± 0.06, and 25.3 ± 0.1, respectively. Results differed
significantly from those previously reported by Chaves
et
al.
(
18965370
Talanta
1992
39
249
) and Pippin
et al.
(
Inorg. Chim. Acta
1995
239
43
) in both the speciation and the overall
complex stability; the latter in particular was found to be remarkably
higher. The work disclosed herein provides revised data on the Pb
2+
-DOTA complexes, which should be used as a new stability
benchmark during the development of lead chelators.