Caged complexes are metal ion chelators that release analytes when exposed to light of a specific wavelength. The synthesis and properties of ZinCleav-1, a cage for Zn(2+) that fragments upon photolysis, is reported. The general uncaging strategy involves integrating a nitrobenzyl group on the backbone of the ligand so that a carbon-heteroatom bond is cleaved by the photoreaction. The caged complex was obtained using a new synthetic strategy involving a Strecker synthesis to prepare a key aldehyde intermediate. ZinCleav-1 has a K(d) of 0.23 pM for Zn(2+) as measured by competitive titration with [Zn(PAR)(2)] (PAR = 4-(2-pyridyl-2-azo) resorcinol). The quantum yield for ZinCleav-1 is 2.4% and 0.55% for the apo and Zn(2+) complex, respectively. The ability of ZinCleav-1 to increase free [Zn(2+)] is calculated theoretically using the binding constants for the uncaged photoproducts, and demonstrated practically by using a fluorescent sensor to image the liberated Zn(2+). Free Zn(2+) may function as a neurotransmitter and have a role in the pathology of several neurological diseases. Studying these physiological functions remains challenging because Zn(2+) is silent to most common spectroscopic techniques. We expect ZinCleav-1 to be the first in a class of caged complexes that will facilitate biological investigations.