17a. R= H b: R= Ac subjected to the Dieckmann condensation in order to form oxometacyclophanes, the inability to generate a ten-membered ring and reluctance in the formation of the 12-membered cyclophane were indicative of the nonbonded interactions which either retard or reduce the desired nucleophilic cycli~ ation.~ It should be noted that 2, 6-[n] pyridinophanes, where n is less than 10, can be synthesized if (a) 2, 6-dihalopyridine ...