Formation of Oligomeric and Macrocyclic Ureas Based on 2,6-Diaminopyridine

The conversion of 1,3-bis-(6-amino-pyridin-2-yl)-urea (<b>1</b>) with <i>N</i>,<i>N</i>′-carbonyldiimidazole at high temperatures in DMSO yielded a mixture of defined cyclic trimers and tetramers. On the basis of model reactions, exchange reactions were evidenced, which convert the cyclic tetramer into a stable cyclic trimer. Linear even numbered oligomers were obtained in acetone under reflux where side reactions were suppressed. The pronounced tendency of cyclization is attributed to a preferred folded conformation of the urea bond between two pyridyl units