Chemosensors containing appended benzothiazole group(s): selective binding of Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) ions by two related receptors.

Amide-benzothiazole based receptors act as highly selective chemosensors for Cu(ii) and Zn(ii) ions both in solution and in the solid state. Binding and crystallographic studies have been used to shed light on the mechanism of interaction between chemosensors and metal ions.