SYNTHESIS OF 1,4,7,10-TETRA-N-ALKYL-1,4,7,10-TETRAAZA-CYCLODODECANES

ABSTRACT

We report a concise method for the preparation of 1,4,7,10-tetra-N-alkyl-1,4,7,10-tetraaza-cyclododecanes via deprotonation to the fourfold lithium amide followed by alkylation with alkyl bromides. The procedure circumvents the problem of ammonium salt formation and provides direct access to hydrophobic 1,4,7,10-tetraaza-cyclododecanes in moderate yield. The so obtained hydrophobic macrocycles were converted into the corresponding zinc(II), copper(II), nickel(II) and cobalt(II) complexes, that may be used as water stable Lewis-acids in catalysis and anion extraction.