Direct ring functionalisation of 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane and its application in the preparation of functional [L2Mn2O3]-type complexes

Treatment of 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (metacn) with N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) gave a bicyclic ammonium intermediate, which was ring-opened to 2-cyano-1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane by reaction with potassium cyanide. Reduction to the amine followed by reaction with anhydrides gave amides, which could subsequently be converted to dinuclear tris-μ-oxo manganese complexes.