Azomacrocyclic derivatives of imidazole: synthesis, structure, and metal ion complexation properties

New azocrown ethers comprising imidazoles in the macrocycle have been synthesized. Imidazole, 2-methyl-, 4-methyl-, and 4-phenylimidazole were incorporated to form macrocyclic units by coupling with the appropriate bis-diazonium salts. The syntheses were performed under high dilution conditions. The X-ray structure of a water adduct of the 21-membered crown ether derivative of 4-methylimidazole 8 has been solved. Metal cation binding was investigated with the use of UV–vis spectroscopy in acetonitrile, methanol, and methanol–water mixtures. The obtained chromoionophores were tested as ion-carriers in ion-selective membrane electrodes.