One-pot synthesis of tripodal tris(2-aminoethyl)amine derivatives from seven molecular components

Complex tripodal tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (tren)-based ligands have been prepared in a single-pot reaction of tren with 3 equiv each of cyclohexenone and a benzaldehyde derivative (i.e., from seven components and three molecular types). The highest yield of product was obtained for p-nitrobenzaldehyde, the most electrophilic aldehyde used.