The unique properties observed for the unsymmetrical macrocyclic compounds with the highly distorted structure

A new class of aza-macrocycles with the highly distorted structure reacts with various lithium salts to form lithium complexes and their lithium complexation reactions depend on a substituent on the macrocyclic ring; slower rates and larger equilibrium constants were observed for the macrocycle with a bulkier substituent. The irradiation of these macrocycles by UV light was found to lead to the isomerization, and the photoisomerization rate of macrocycle with the bulky substituent was much faster.