Double Michael addition of 1,4- and 1,3-xylylene diamines and 1,5-diaminobu
tane to the bimetallic alpha,beta -unsaturated alkoxychromium(0) carbene co
mplex 4 produces in good to excellent yields the corresponding cyclophane b
imetallic complexes 5-7 as single isomers. In contrast, the reaction with 1
,4-diaminobutane produces a different cyclophane complex, 8, derived from a
1,2- + 1,4-addition process.