Synthesis and Characterization of C-meso and C-racemic Isomers of a Reinforced Tetraaza Macrocycle and Their Copper(II) Complexes

Two isomers of a new tetraaza macrotricycle 2,2,4,9,9,11-hexaazamethyl-1,5,8,12-tetraazatricyclo[$10.2.2^{5.8}$]-octadecane ($L^2$) containing additional N-$CH_2CH_2$-N linkages, C-meso-$L^2$ and C-racemic-$L^2$, have been prepared by the reaction of 1-bromo-2-chloroethane with C-meso-$L^1$ or C-racemic-$L^1$ ($L^1$ = 5,5,7,12,12,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane). Both C-meso-$L^2$ and C-racemic-$L^2$ react with copper(II) ion to form $[Cu(C-meso-L^2)]^{2+}$ or $[Cu(C-racemic-L^2)]^{2+}$ in dehydrated ethanol, but do not with nickel(II) ion under similar conditions. Crystal structure of [Cu(C-racemic-$L^2$)($H_2O$)]$(ClO_4)_2$ shows that the complex has distorted square-pyramidal coordination geometry with an apically coordinated water molecule. Unexpectedly, the Cu-N distances [2.016(3)-2.030(3) ${\AA}$] of [Cu(C-racemic-$L^2$)($H_2O$)]$(ClO_4)_2$ are longer than those [1.992(3)-2.000(3) ${\AA}$] of [Cu(C-racemic-$L^1$)($H_2O$)]$(ClO_4)_2$. As a result, $[Cu(C-racemic-L^2)(H_2O)]^{2+}$ exhibits weaker ligand field strength than $[Cu(C-racemic-L^1)(H_2O)]^{2+}$. The copper(II) complexes readily react with CN- ion to yield the cyano-bridged dinuclear complex $[Cu_2(C-meso-L^2)_2CN]^{3+}$ or $[Cu_2(C-racemic-L^2)_2CN]^{3+}$. Spectra and chemical properties of $[Cu(C-meso-L^2)]^{2+}$ and $[Cu_2(C-meso-L^2)_2CN]^{3+}$ are not quite different from those of $[Cu(C-racemic-L^2)]^{2+}$ and $[Cu_2(C-racemic-L^2)_2CN]^{3+}$, respectively.