Reaction of primary amines with N-ethynyl pendant arms attached to macrocyclic nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes: Formation of the complexes with pendant imine group(s)

The N-CH2CCH pendant arms of [NiL1]2+ react readily with primary amines (RNH2) to produce 1 bearing two N-CH2C(NR)CH3 pendant arms. On the other hand, the reaction of [CuL1]2+ with RNH2 produces 2 bearing both N-CH2C(NR)CH3 and N-CH2CCH groups.