Arylene Imine Macrocycles of C3h and C3 Symmetry from Reductive Imination of Nitroformylarenes

Novel C-3-symmetric phenylene imine macrocycles have been synthesized by reductive imination of single nitroformylarenes. Pore size and geometric shape are dictated by the distance between and orientation of the nitro and aldehyde moieties in the precursor backbone. This reaction is facile, requires no purification of the products, and is environmentally friendly.