Metacyclophanes were prepared by cyclization reactions between bis(chlorome
thyl) compounds and piperazine, primary amines, or ethylene glycol. The H-1
nmr relaxation rime (T-1) measurements indicated that the macrocycles feat
ure the up and down motion of the aromatic units around the XCH2Ar (X = N,
O) methylene moieties as the axes. Mctacyclophanes incorporating piperazine
units showed high complexation ability for alkaline metal cations.