Metal ion promoted hydrolysis of nitrile-functionalized triazamacrocycle

The triazamacrocyclic ligand L functionalized with nitrile pendant arms undergoes metal-promoted hydrolysis in undried CH3CN to afford amide derivative L1 followed by the formation of a complex [ZnL1](ClO4)2 (1), which was structurally characterized. Furthermore, unexpected metal-assisted decyanomethylation reaction of the ligand L was observed via electrospray ionization mass spectrum (ESI-MS) when aqueous CH3CN was employed as the reaction solvent.