Microwave assisted cyclocondensation of dialdehydes with chiral diamines forming calixsalen type macrocycles

Microwave irradiation of various dialdehydes and chiral diamines afforded chiral macrocyclic imines in moderate to good yields. Linked dialdehydes predominantly form [2+2] macrocycles whereas dialdehydes without linkers yield [3+3] macrocycles. This is the first report of template-free synthesis of calixsalen-type macrocycles formed in shorter reaction times under microwave conditions. In all the reactions, the salts of chiral diamines were used in contrast to the free diamines normally employed.