The composition, optical characteristics, molar absorption coefficients and equilibrium constants of the reactions of formation of the ML and ML2 complexes of both reagents with cadmium(II) ions were determined by graphical analysis and numerical interpretation of the absorbance-pH curves by the modified SQUAD-G program. Optimal conditions were proposed for the spectrophotometric determination of Cd in 10% v/v ethanol medium in the presence of 0.1% w/v Triton X-100 or 1% w/v Brij 35. BrPADAP and ClPADAP are the most sensitive spectrophotometric reagents for the determination of cadmium(II) ions (ε = 1.28-1.44 . 105 mmol-1 cm2 at 560 nm and pH 8.0-9.5) with a high colour contrast in the reaction (Δλmax ~117 nm) and a selectivity similar to that of other N-heterocyclic azodyes (PAR, PAN, etc.).