1,4,7-Triazacyclononane

Synthesis

The ligand is prepared from diethylene triamine as follows by macrocyclization using ethyleneglycol ditosylate. :H2NCH2CH2NHCH2CH2NH2 + 3 TsCl → Ts(H)NCH2CH2N(Ts)CH2CHH2N(H)Ts + 3 HCl :Ts(H)NCH2CH2N(Ts)CH2CH2N(H)Ts + 2 NaOEt → Ts(Na)NCH2CH2N(Ts)CH2CH2N(Na)Ts :Ts(Na)NCHH2CH2N(Ts)CH2CH2N(Na)Ts + TsOCH2CH2OTs + → [(CH2CH2N(Ts)]3 + 2 NaOTs :[(CH2CH2N(Ts)]3 + 3 H2O → [CH2CH2NH]3 + 3 HOTs

Coordination chemistry

TACN is a popular tridentate ligand. It is threefold symmetric and binds to one face of an octahedron of metalloids and transition metals. The (TACN)M unit is kinetically inert, allowing further synthetic transformations on the other coordination sites. A bulky analogue of TACN, is the N,N',N"-trimethylated analogue trimethyltriazacyclononane.

Illustrative complexes

• Although TACN characteristically coordinates to metals in mid- and high oxidation states, e.g. Ni(III), Mn(IV), Mo(III), W(III), exceptions occur. To illustrate, 1,4,7-triazacyclononane reacts readily with Mo(CO)6 and W(CO)6 to produce the respective air-stable tricarbonyl compounds, [(κ3 -TACN)Mo(CO)3] and [(κ3-TACN)W(CO)3]. Both have an oxidation state of zero. After further reacting with 30% H2O2, the products are [(κ3-TACN)MoO3] and [(κ3-TACN)WO3]. Both of these oxo complexes have an oxidation state of 6. The macrocyclic ligand does dissociate in the course of this dramatic change in formal oxidation state of the metal.
• The complex, [κ3-TACN)Cu(II)Cl2], a catalyst for hydrolytic cleavage of phosphodiester bonds in DNA, is prepared as follows from TACN trihydrochloride:

:TACN·3HCl + CuCl2·3H2O + 3 NaOH → [(κ3-TACN)CuCl2] + 6 H2O + 3 NaCl

• Mn-TACN complexes catalyze epoxidation of alkenes such as styrene using H2O2 as an oxidant in a carbonate buffered methanol solution at a pH of 8.0. These reagents are considered environmentally benign,

:[(κ3-TACN)Mn] + H2O2 + NaHCO3 + (C6H5)C2H3→ [(κ3-TACN)Mn] + 2H2O + CO2 + (C6H5)C2H2O

• Chromium (II) sources, e.g. created by heating CrCl3.6H2O in DMSO react with TACN to form both 1:1 Cr:and 2:1 complexes, e.g. yellow [(TACN)2Cr]3+.

References

References

1. Chaudhuri, P.. (1987). "Progress in Inorganic Chemistry". John Wiley & Sons, Inc..
2. Wieghardt, Karl. (1979). "Darstellung und Struktur des trans-Diaqua-di-μ-hydroxo-bis[(1,4,7-triazacyclononan)cobalt(III)]-Kations; Kinetik und Mechanismus seiner Bildung". [[Chemische Berichte]].
3. Sibbons, Kevin F.. (2006). "The application of manganese complexes of ligands derived from 1,4,7-triazacyclononane in oxidative catalysis". Dalton Transactions.
4. Deal, Kim A.. (1996). "Mechanistic Studies of Dichloro(1,4,7-triazacyclononane)copper(II)-Catalyzed Phosphate Diester Hydrolysis". Inorg. Chem..
5. Wieghardt, Karl. (1979). "Neue μ-Hydroxo-Übergangsmetallkomplexe, II. Darstellung mehrkerniger Komplexe des Chroms(III) mit dreizähnigen Amin-Liganden. Struktur des μ[cis-Dihydroxo(O,O{{prime}})-hydroxo(l,4,7-triazacyclononan)chrom(III)]-di-μ-hydroxobis[(1,4,7-triazacyclononan)chrom(III)]-Kations". Chemische Berichte.
6. Wieghardt, K.. (1983). "Redox potentials of bis(1,4,7-triazacyclononane complexes of some first transition series metals(II,III). Preparation of bis(1,4,7-triazacyclononane)nickel(III) perchlorate". Inorg. Chem..