An efficient synthesis of pyridine containing triaza-macrocyclic triacetate ligand and luminescence properties of its europium(III) complex

Reaction of diethylenetriamine with 2-nitrobenzenesulfonyl chloride leads to an activated and protected compound that could be cyclized to N-protected aza-macrocycle. After a smooth deprotection step, the macrocycle was alkylated with chloroacetic acid leading to the pyridine containing triaza-macrocycle 1 in good yield. The luminescence properties of its Eu3+ complex were examined in aqueous solution.