Abstract
The 14-membered tetraaza macrocyclic ligand 1,8-diethyl-5,12-dimethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclote tradeca-4,11-diene(B) can be synthesized as its dihydroperchlorate salt by the one-pot reaction of 2-ethylaminoethylamine, methylvinyl ketone, and perchloric acid in absolute ethanol. The reaction of Ni(II) or Cu(II) ion and the salt yields $[M(B)]^{2+}$ (M = Ni(II) or Cu(II)), which reacts with $NaBH_4$ to produce $[M(D)]^{2+}$ (D = 1,8-diethyl-5,12-dimethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclote tradecane). The complexes $[M(L)]^{2+}$ (L = B or D) have planar geometry and contain two ethyl groups at the donor nitrogen atoms of the ligands. The red solids $[Cu(B)](X)_2(X)$ = $ClO_4-$ or $PF_6^-$) react with water molecules of atmospheric moisture to produce the purple solids in which water molecules are coordinated to the metal ion. Synthesis, characterization, and the properties of the new N-ethylated macrocyclic ligands and their Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes are reported.