High-yield synthesis of potentially ditopic coordinating cryptands and their metal complexes

Cryptands containing a tetradentate tris(aminoethyl)amine moiety have been prepared in high-yield via copper-catalyzed alkyne–azide cycloaddition followed by a templated 3+3 condensation. Silver and zinc complexes of the cryptands are reported. Weak interactions between a chloride anion and the cryptand suggest possible ditopic coordination.