One-pot synthesis of cyclic triamides with a triangular cavity from trans-stilbene and Diphenylacetylene monomers

Base-promoted self-condensation reactions of trans-stilbene and diphenylacetylene monomers bearing 4-alkylamino and 4'-methoxycarbonyl groups were investigated. Reactions of N-propyl monomers under pseudohigh-dilution conditions (a THF solution of monomer was added dropwise to a THF solution of LiHMDS) afforded the corresponding cyclic triamides in good yields. X-ray crystallographic analysis showed that these cyclic triamides possessed an almost equilateral triangle structure with a cavity surrounded by tilted benzene rings.