Abstract Nine new tripodal NS 2 ligands of the bis (mercaptoimidazolyl)(pyrazolyl) borate type with varying 3-R-mercaptoimidazolyl moieties were prepared as their potassium salts. Treatment with zinc salts yielded the complex types L· Zn− Cl, L· Zn− I, L· Zn− ONO 2, L· Zn− OClO 3 and [L· Zn (imidazole)] ClO 4. Attempts at the formation of L· Zn− OH or cationic L· Zn complexes resulted in dismutation and formation of ZnL 2 complexes. Hydrolytic ...