A protected form of 3, 5-bis (phosphonomethyl) benzoic acid (Bpb-OH), a metal oxide surface bivalent anchor, has been synthesized, coupled to an amine functionality, deprotected, and shown to bind to metal oxide surfaces. The protected anchor, 3, 5-bis ( dimethoxyphosphinylmethyl) benzoic acid (Me4Bpb-OH) was synthesized in 23% yield over four steps, coupled to a proline-chromophore, deprotected with a solution of ...