Direct access to terpyridine-containing polyazamacrocycles as photosensitizing ligands for Eu(III) luminescence in aqueous media.

[reaction: see text] The synthesis of new 18-membered hexaazamacrocycles containing a functionalized 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine moiety as part of the cyclic backbone and three acetate pendant arms is described. The reported synthetic procedure is based on the use of an efficient metal template ion effect which controls the macrocyclization step. This procedure is compatible with some functional groups present in the macrocyclic structure.