New diformyldihydroxyaromatic precursors for luminescent Schiff base macrocycles: Synthesis, characterization, and condensation studies

With the goal of preparing luminescent, fully conjugated Schiff base macrocycles, a series of precursors based on benzene, phenanthrene, and triphenylene with formylhydroxy functionalization have been prepared and characterized. The condensation of these compounds with substituted phenylenediamines to afford conjugated [2+2] or [3+3] Schiff base macrocycle has been investigated. Although the [3+3] Schiff base macrocycles could not be isolated, two new soluble and luminescent [2+2] Schiff base macrocycles with N2O2 binding pockets have been prepared and characterized.