The object of the proposed research will be to develop new methods for the synthesis of macrocyclic lactams, particularly polyamine lactams. Among the members of this group are the spermine and spermidine alkaloids. Our methods will include study of procedures for the successive ring expansion of smaller heterocyclic systems to form larger units. In another phase of this work we will investigate new methods for forming large rings which cn lead to lactams. We will also apply our procedures for forming macrocyclic systems to the synthesis of large bicyclic units containing hetero atoms capable of acting as cryptates for binding metal ions.
