The molecular design, characteristics, and catalytic activity of macrocyclic amino compounds, azacalix [3](2, 6) pyridine derivatives, were studied. The introduction of an electron-donating group on the pyridine moiety and bridging amino phenyl group enabled the enhancement of the basicity of azacalix [3](2, 6) pyridine up to p K BH+= 29.5 in CD3CN. These derivatives were shown to be efficient catalysts for 1, 4-addition reactions of ...