Methyl Aryl Ketones in the Synthesis of Hexaazabicycloicosane Cage Complexes

The template syntheses of various CoIII-hexaazaicosane-type cage complexes with aromatic substituents are described. The parent template, [Co(sen)]3+ ion {sen = 4,4′,4″-ethylidynetris(3-azabutan-1-amine)}, paraformaldehyde, a methyl aryl ketone and a base were reacted in acetonitrile to give aroyl substituents attached to the fully saturated sarcophagine cage (1-aroyl-8-methyl-3,6,10,13,16,19-hexaazabicyclo[6.6.6]-icosane cobalt(III) ion) and aryl substituents attached to an analogous imine-type cage (2-aryl-8-methyl-3,6,10,13,16,19-hexaazabicyclo[6.6.6]icosa-2-ene cobalt(III) ion). Phenyl, napthyl, phenanthryl, anthracenyl and anthraquinonyl substituents have been bound to the cage simply by this route to give molecules that can act as intercalators in DNA or as photosensitizers attached to reversible redox-active metal centres and can couple an organic two-electron reagent with an inorganic one-electron reagent. An X-ray crystallographic analysis of a phenanthroyl cage complex has also been carried out. These substances and their progeny should be useful as biological probes and fluorescent indicators and for energy capture and conversion.