Debenzylation of 2,6,8,12-tetraacetyl-4,10-dibenzyl-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazatetracyclo[5.5.0.0 3,11 .0 5,9 ]dodecane

The debenzylation of 2,6,8,12-tetraacetyl-4,10-dibenzyl-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazatetra-cyclo[5.5.0.0 3,11 .0 5,9 ]dodecane by catalytic hydrogenolysis in a mixture of HCOOH with other RCOOH (R = Me, Et, Pr i ) is accompanied by the N -formylation of the liberated secondary amino groups. The alkaline hydrolysis of the obtained products makes it possible to remove the formyl groups with the retention of the acetyl groups.