Abstract The structure of a mimetic of sialyl Lewis X, namely 3-[2-(α-D-mannopyranosyloxy) phenyl] phenylacetic acid, was coupled to diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) via a flexible alkyl spacer and the amide linkage. The overall yield of the eleven-step synthesis starting from 3-bromophenylacetic acid was 4− 8%. This new ligand is expected to target inflammation sites through specific interactions with selectins, the adhesion molecules ...