A Direct Assembly Approach to the Synthesis of N,N′-Bridged Calix[4]pyrroles: The Synthesis of a 1,5-Diazacyclononatriene Locked in a Saddle Conformation

Abstract

Ring closure of 1,2-bis(1-pyrrolylmethyl)benzene in the acid-catalysed condensation with acetone yields the 1,5-diazacyclononatriene [ O -C6H4(CH2NC4H3-2)2C(CH3)2] as the sole identifiable product. The twisted or saddle conformation of the 1,5-diazacyclononatriene, which was confirmed by X-ray crystal structure determination, is conformationally rigid in solution. The conformation of the 1,5-diazacyclononatriene prevents the formation of the target N,N′-bridged calix[4]pyrrole by further acid-catalysed condensation with acetone, the reaction affording unidentified oligomers/polymers instead. The acid-catalysed condensation of 1,3- and 1,4-bis(1-pyrrolylmethyl)benzene with acetone also yields unidentified oligomers/polymers.