Synthesis and metalation of a chiral, pyridine-strapped, cyclic bis(benzimidazole) ligand

[GRAPHICS] Synthesis of a chiral, strapped, cyclic bis(benzimidazole) ligand is reported. This compound forms a stable, Jahn-Teller-distorted, octahedral Cu(II) complex in which the elongated axis is positioned within the main macrocycle. The C-2-symmetric bis(benzimidazole) core adopts a highly ruffled conformation with the ortho-substituted benzene rings located anti relative to the pyridine-bearing strap.