D=ol8001317n00001>![](/isubscribe/journals/orlef7/10/i06/figures/ol8001317n00001.gif) |
We have
develope
d metho
dology for the formation of a new family of metal-free Schiff base macrocycles utilizing the
differential exchangerates of al
dimines an
d ketimines. The more robust ketimine bon
d is kinetically inert un
der the mil
der con
ditions use
d for al
dimine bon
dformation. In particular, this route enables access to the first conjugate
d macrocycles with four unsymmetrical N
2O
2 salphen-like pockets.