Synthetic strategy of new powerful tris-bisphosphonic ligands for chelation of uranyl, iron, and cobalt cations

New tripodal uranyl ion chelators containing gem-bisphosphonic units have been synthesized. All bisphosphonic units present a side chain with 0, 1, or 2 methylene group terminated by –NH2 or –CO2H group. These units were respectively coupled with a –CO2H or –NH2 functions of a suitable tri-functional platform. The shape and size of the new designed ligands were selected and validated through computer molecular modelization.