A new strategy to the preparation of selectively functionalized polyaz
amacrocycles is presented. Polyaza[n]paracyclophane receptors are able
to efficiently direct their own selective functionalization upon inte
raction with simple guests such as metal cations. This enables the pre
paration of novel receptors functionalized at one of the benzylic nitr
ogen atoms with a variety of groups. Selective difunctionalization at
both benzylic positions can also be achieved in this way.