A new chiral cyclophane, with a binding cavity defined by the 1,1'-bin
aphthyl ''minor groove'' and a strongly pi-accepting 4,4'-bipyridinium
dication, has been synthesized. It self-associates in solution (K = (
4.1 +/- 1.6) x 10(2) M(-1)), and forms charge-transfer complexes with
strong pi-electron donors.