One-pot synthesis of [1+1] and 62-membered [2+2] Schiff base macrocycles

New [1+1] and 62-membered [2+2] Schiff base macrocycles containing a 2,6-diamidopyridine subunit have been synthesized by condensation reaction of the precursors pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide and 1,10-bis(20-formylphenyloxy)decane in the presence of phosphoric acid via a one-pot process. The cyclocondensed products were effectively isolated by gel column chromatography and characterized by ~1H NMR, FTIR, mass spectrometry and X-ray analysis. The two macrocycles have a twisted structure, and not an open ‘circular’ conformation in the solid state.