Improved Methods for the Synthesis of Aza-Crown Macrocycles and Cryptands

(opens in new window) Buy Article (opens in new window) Permissions and Reprints (opens in new window) All articles of this category (opens in new window) New strategies for the preparation of aza-crown macrocycles and cryptands from readily available, cheap starting materials are described. One- or few-step processes for forming aza-crowns, peraza-crowns and cryptands with high overall yields have been developed. The methods could also be useful for the synthesis of interesting new classes of macrobicycles and higher order ligating agents. 1. Introduction 1.1. Preface 1.2. Applications of the Aza-Crown Macrocycles and Cryptands 1.3. Usual Methods for the Preparation of the Aza-Crown Macrocycles and Cryptands 2. An Unexpected Ring Closure Reaction to Form Diaza-Crown Macrocycles 3. The Building Block Method to Form Aza-Crown Macrocycles 4. The "Crab-Like" Method to Form Aza-Crown Macrocycles 5. Cryptands via a One-Step Bicyclization Reaction 6. Reflections