Syntheses and characterization of mono- and di-N-hydroxyethylated tetraaza macrocycles containing eight C-methyl groups and their nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes

New partially N-hydroxyethylated 14-membered tetraaza macrocycles 1,8-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-3,5,7,7,10,12,14,14-octamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (L²) and 1-(2-hydroxyethyl))-3,5,7,7,10,12,14,14-octamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (L³) have been synthesized selectively by the one-step reaction of 2,5,5,7,9,12,12,14-octamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (L¹) with 2-hydroxyethyl bromide. The complexes [NiL³]²⁺, [CuL²]²⁺, and [CuL³]²⁺ have been prepared and characterized. The complex [CuL²](ClO₄)₂ has a square-pyramidal coordination geometry with one apical oxygen atom; only one of the two hydroxyethyl groups is coordinated to the metal ion. Electronic absorption spectra of [CuL³](ClO₄)₂ containing one hydroxyethyl pendant arm indicate that the geometry is similar to that of [CuL²](ClO₄)₂. Unexpectedly, the nickel(II) complex [NiL³](ClO₄)₂ has a severely distorted trigonal bipyramidal coordination geometry with the oxygen atom of the pendant arm at the equatorial position. The Ni---O bond distance of the nickel(II) complex is shorter, or not longer, than the Ni---N bond distances. The ligand in [CuL²]²⁺ is in the RRSS (trans-III) configuration, as usual, whereas that in [NiL³]²⁺ has the RRRR (trans-V) conformation. The coordination geometry and properties of [NiL³]²⁺ are quite different from those reported for other related nickel(II) complexes containing one functional pendant arm.