Synthesis of a Di-N-cyanoethylated Tetraaza Macrocycle Containing Eight C-Methyl Groups and Its Nickel(II) Complex: Effects of the Methyl Groups on Their Properties

A new di-N-cyanoethylated 14-membered tetraaza macrocycle 1,8-bis(2-cyanoethyl)-3,5,7,7,10,12,14,14-octamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane $(L^2)$ and its nickel(II) complex $[NiL^2(OAc)]^+$ have been prepared. The square-planar complex $[NiL^2](C IO_4)_2$ can be prepared by addition of $HClO_4$ to a hot aqueous solution of $[NiL^2(OAc)]^+$ The Ni-N (tertiary amino group) bond distances $(2.008{\AA})$ of $[NiL^2](C IO_4)_2$ are relatively long, and the complex exhibits a d-d transition band at unusually long wavelength (ca. 515 nm). The complex $[NiL^2](C IO_4)_2$ rapidly reacts with acetate ion or ethylenediamine (en) to produce $[NiL^2(OAc)]^+$ or [Ni(en)_3]^{2+}$, respectively, and is readily decomposed in NaOH (0.01 M) solution. The chemical properties of $[NiL^2]^{2+}$ as well as its synthetic procedure are quite different from those for other related 14-membered tetraaza macrocyclic complexes. Effects of the N-cyanoethyl and C-methyl groups on the properties of $L^2$.