New N-substituted cyclam ligands 1,8-[bis(3-formyl-2-hydroxy-5-methyl) benzyl]-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane, 1,8-[bis(3-formyl-2-hydroxy-5-methyl) benzyl]-4,11-dimethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane, 1,8-[bis(3-formyl-2- hydroxy-5-bromo)benzyl]-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane, and 1,8-[bis(3-formyl-2-hydroxy-5-bromo)benzyl]-4,11-dimethyl-1,4,8, 11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (L1-L4) were synthesized and mononuclear copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes prepared. The ligands and complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, electronic, IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectral studies. N-alkylation causes red shifts in the λmax values of the complexes. Copper(II) complexes show one-electron, quasi-reversible reduction waves in the range -1.04 to -1.00 V. The nickel(II) complexes show one-electron, quasi-reversible reduction waves in the range -1.18 to -1.30 V and one-electron, quasi-reversible oxidation waves in the range +1.20 to +1.40 V. The reduction potential of the copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes of the ligands L1 to L2 and L3 to L4 shift anodically on N-alkylation. The ESR spectra of the mononuclear copper(II) complexes show four lines, characteristic of square-planar geometry with nuclear hyperfine spin 3/2. All copper(II) complexes show a normal room temperature magnetic moment value μeff = 1.70-1.74 BM which is close to the spin only value of 1.73 BM. Kinetic studies on the oxidation of pyrocatechol to o-quinone using the copper(II) complexes as catalysts and on the hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenylphosphate using the copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes as catalyst were carried out. The tetra-N-substituted complexes have higher rate constants than the corresponding disubstituted complexes. © 2008 Taylor & Francis.