The acid-catalyzed formation of methylene-bridged glycoluril dimers yields
the C-2v-diastereomer selectively. Product resubmission experiments establi
sh that the selectivity is the result of thermodynamic control. A modified
synthetic route is presented that allows for the preparation of unsymmetric
ally substituted dimers, We present the X-ray crystal structures of both di
astereomers, This class of compounds is useful for studies of self-assembly
in aqueous solution.