Anion template-directed synthesis of dicationic [1(4)]imidazoliophanes

[GRAPHICS] The "3 + 1" synthesis of the title macrocycle frameworks containing two imi dazolium moieties linked in a 1,3-alternating manner can be controlled by t he presence of chloride anions-e.g. TBA.Cl. Moreover, the halide anions gen erated in situ during macrocyclization act as self-templates, Competitive e xperiments indicate the relevance of both the condensation step and the hal ide template ring closure step in the "3 + 1" approach.