The syntheses of Zinquin ester [ethyl [2-methyl-8-(p- tolylsulfonylamino )-6-quinolyloxy]acetate] and the corresponding acid, both of which are zinc(II)-specific fluorophores , are described. 6-Methoxy-2-methyl-8-(p- tolylsulfonylamino ) quinoline (2) can be demethylated , with boron tribromide, to form either the expected phenol or a mixture of the phenol and the corresponding 5-bromo derivative depending upon the reaction conditions. These compounds react with ethyl bromoacetate to give the corresponding esters, as well as the 5-ethoxycarbonyl derivative formed by electrophilic substitution. Halogenation of the sulfonamide (2) occurs readily at the 5-position. The 5-iodo product undergoes a Heck coupling with ethyl acrylate . The crystal structures of ethyl [5-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-2-methyl-8-(p- tolylsulfonylamino )-6-quinolyloxy]acetate and [5-carboxymethyl-2-methyl-8-(p- tolylsulfonylamino )-6-quinolyloxy]acetic acid are described.