10,13‐Bis( p ‐tolylsulfonyl)‐1,4,7‐trithia‐10,13‐diazacyclopentadecane

The title compound, C 24 H 34 N 2 O 4 S 5 , is the ditosylated precursor to the mixed aza–thia macrocycle 1,4,7‐trithia‐10,13‐diazacyclopentadecane ([15]aneN 2 S 3 ) and is prepared by reacting bis(2‐mercaptoethyl) sulfide with O,O ′, N,N ′‐tetratosyl‐ N,N ′‐bis(2‐oxyethyl)ethylendiamine in dimethylformamide in the presence of Cs 2 CO 3 . Molecules lie across crystallographic twofold axes. The macrocyclic framework adopts a [] conformation and the two tolylsulfonyl groups are directed away from the ring cavity. There is extensive disorder of the methylene groups of the macrocyclic backbone.