exo-Diastereoisomer of 10-aryl-1,4,7-triazabicyclo[5.2.1]decane as intermediary in specific derivatisation of triazacyclononane

Reaction of triazacyclononane (tacn) and aromatic aldehydes leads to aminal adducts, which exhibit only the exo configuration. In these aminal compounds, secondary amine function possesses a higher reactivity towards electrophilic reactants than the two nitrogen atoms linked to aminal carbon, giving rise to the specific derivatisation of tacn by different functionalised groups. Study of this behaviour also permits the access to a ditopic tacn–cyclam bicyclic polyamine.