Cation-dependent structural diversity of zinc(II), calcium(II) mono- and binuclear complexes of aryl-imidazo-1,10-phenanthroline derivatives

Novel azacrown-containing aryl-imidazophenanthroline demonstrates the coordination of Zn(II) with the phenanthroline residue, whereas Ca(II) can bind with both phenanthroline and crown ether centers. This selectivity allows the preparing of a mixed Zn(II)/Ca(II) complex.