Synthesis of Two 2,2′-Bipyridine Containing Macrocycles for the Preparation of Interlocked Architectures*

The synthesis and characterisation of two 28-membered, 2,2′-bipyridine-containing macrocycles in high yield is reported. The first imine-containing macrocycle was formed via a Williamson ether synthesis and showed no evidence of higher oligomer formation. Reduction of the imines with sodium borohydride produced the second macrocycle quantitatively.