Coordination behavior and binding properties of 2,6-pyridinedimethanol with Cu(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II) cations

•The coordination chemistry of 2,6-pyridinedimethanol ligand has been investigated.•The structures of the complexes confirmed the tridentate coordination of the ligand.•The 2,6-pyridinedimethanol ligand showed a high preference for Cu(II) cation.•Metal properties and metal:ligand ratio influenced their relative binding efficiencies.