Classified as an aza-crown ether, it is a white solid that is soluble in water.

As a macrocyclic ligand, it binds strongly to many transition metal cations.

Metal-cyclam complexes are prone to oxidative degradation, which is initiated by deprotonation of the secondary amine.

This flaw led to the development of cyclam derivatives wherein the NH centres are replaced by tertiary amines.

For example, the tetramethyl derivatives (tetramethylcyclam, tmc) are readily prepared by methylation using formaldehyde and formic acid.