ChemInform Abstract: Metal-Directed Synthesis of a Pendent-Arm N2S2-Macrocycle Incorporating an ortho-Xylene Unit

Reaction of (2,2′-[o-phenylenebis(methylenethio)]bis[ethanamine])copper(II) in alcoholic base with formaldehyde and nitroethane yields the macrocycle (8-methyl-8-nitro-6,10-diaza-3,13-dithia-1,15,16,17,18,19-dehydrobicyclo[13.4.0]nonadecane)copper (II), which incorporates an ortho-xylene unit as part of a 15-membered macrocyclic ring with cis-N2S2 donors which also carry pendent nitro and methyl groups. Zinc-acid reduction of the complex permits isolation of a potentially quinquedentate N3S2-donor ligand.