Non-symmetrical tetraaza macrocyclic complexes of nickel(II) and their binding to synthetic polymer supports

The synthesis and characterisation of a family of new tetraaza macrocyclic complexes of nickel(II) have been performed, via reaction of a nucleophilic macrocycle with various acid chlorides, or via peripheral functionalisation of suitable macrocycles. The new complexes have an asymmetric distribution of the peripheral groups on the macrocyclic rings and this is reflected in the appearance of their NMR spectra. Some of the new complexes have been incorporated into the structure of synthetic polymers, either via copolymerisation with a chosen comonomer, in this case styrene, or via reaction with a suitably functionalised, performed polymer.