Five geminal bis(phosphonates) containing an amino group in the α, γ or δ position of the carbon chain have been synthesised and their acid-base and complexation properties with Cu 2+ , Zn 2+ , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ and Na + ions studied by potentiometry. Determination of the stability constants of the complexes with divalent metal ions is complicated by the formation of precipitates. The results of these studies show a negligible effect of the hydroxo group in the α position on the acid-base and complexation properties of the ligands. The presence of an amino group in the α position, however, decreases the basicity, which results in a lower complexation ability of the