Synthesis of interlocked diazacoronand system

New 2,9-disubstituted 1,10-phenanthroline derivatives have been obtained, r etaining the ability to form stable complexes with transition metals. Due t o special, pseudotetrahedral topography of the copper(I) complexes the subs equent ring formation reaction can lead to copper(I) catenates. Thus, the k nown 2,9-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-1,10-phenanthroline ligand, was elongated by the reaction with tert-butyl bromoacetate, forming a diester capable of und ergoing a double amidation reaction. Such synthetic strategy can provide th e corresponding diazacoronands as well as amide-containing interlocked cate nane systems, when a three-dimensional template effect of copper atom is em ployed.