Synthesis and coordination behaviors of 14-membered tetraaza macrocyclic copper(II) complexes bearing two N-propionic acid or N-propionic methyl ester groups

A di-N-functionalized 14-membered tetraaza macrocycle, H₄L³](ClO₄)₂ (L³ = 1,8-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-3,5,7,7,10,12,14,14-octamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane), has been synthesized by acid hydrolysis of 1,8-bis(2-cyanoethyl)-3,5,7,7,10,12,14,14-octamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (L²). The copper(II) complexes CuL²](ClO₄)₂ and Cu(H₂L³)](ClO₄)₂ were prepared and characterized. The complex Cu(H₂L³)]²⁺ readily reacts with methanol to yield CuL⁴]²⁺ (L⁴ = 1,8-bis(2-carbomethoxyethyl)-3,5,7,7,10,12,14,14-octamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane). The N-CH₂CH₂COOH groups of Cu(H₂L³)](ClO₄)₂ are not coordinated to the metal ion in the solid state but are involved in coordination in various non-aqueous solvents or in aqueous solutions of pH ? 1.0. Interestingly, CuL⁴](ClO₄)₂ exists as two stable structural isomers, 1 (the pendant ester groups are not involved in coordination) and 2 (one of the two ester groups is coordinated to the metal ion), in the solid state; the two isomers can be prepared selectively by controlling ionic strength of a methanol solution of the complex. Crystal structures and coordination behaviors of the two isomers are described. The di-N-cyanoethylated macrocyclic complex CuL²](ClO₄)₂ is rapidly decomposed in 0.1 M NaOH solution even at room temperature. On the other hand, Cu(H₂L³)](ClO₄)₂ and CuL⁴](ClO₄)₂ are quite inert against decomposition under similar basic conditions. In acidic or basic aqueous solutions, CuL⁴]²⁺ is hydrolyzed to Cu(H₂L³)]²⁺ or CuL³].