Pd-catalyzed amination in the synthesis of a new family of macropolycyclic compounds comprising diazacrown ether moieties.

N,N'-bis(bromobenzyl) and N,N'-bis(halopyridinyl) derivatives of diaza-12-crown-4, diaza-15-crown-5 and diaza-18-crown-6 ethers were synthesized in high yields. The Pd-catalyzed macrocyclization reactions of these compounds were carried out using a variety of polyamines and oxadiamines were carried out to give novel macrobicyclic and macrotricyclic compounds of the cryptand type. The dependence of the yields of macropolycycles on the nature of the starting diazacrown derivatives and polyamines was established. Generally N,N'-bis(3-bromobenzyl)-substituted diazacrown ethers and oxadiamines provided better yields of the target products. The highest yield of the macrobicyclic products reached 57%.