Development of Dpa-based imidazole zinc anion receptors

A synthetic route for a new, phenolic Dpa-based aza ligand is presented and its chelation with zinc ions and imidazole were studied using UV/vis and mass spectrometry. A bathochromic shift of 30 nm was observed for the 2∗Zn complex of the ligand in UV/vis zinc titration experiments. The mass spectrum indicated formation of an imidazole anion zinc chelate complex.