Synthesis and structural characterization of a highly substituted triazine ring comprising a sterically flexible methylene linker and coordinating substituents

The efficient multi-step, large-scale synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and solid-state molecular structure of a new type of three-fold functionalized, sterically demanding triazine is reported. The aromatic heterocycle 6,6′,6′'-((1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triyl)tris(methylene))tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenol) possesses three 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol synthons bound to the 1,3,5-triazine ring via synthetically challenging methylene linkages in the 2,4,6 positions. The key to success was found in the generation of a highly reactive imidate hydrochloride salt, namely ethyl 2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-methoxyphenyl)acetimidate hydrochloride, that readily undergoes cyclotrimerization. The reported preparation opens new perspectives in the design and synthesis of novel triazine molecules bearing flexible and sterically demanding functionalized groups for various applications.