GUEST-INDUCED SELECTIVE FUNCTIONALIZATION OF POLYAZA[N]PARACYCLOPHANES

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.