Facile N-1 protection of cyclam, cyclen and 1,4,7-triazacyclononane

An exceptionally high yielding method for the tri-protection of cyclam and cyclen using ethyl trifluoroacetate is described. The selective reaction also applies to the di-protection of 1,4,7-triazacyclononane. The application of this method in the synthesis of AMD3100, a clinical candidate for stem cell mobilization is presented.