An alternative synthetic route of [3(5)](1,2,3,4,5)cyclophane, and structural properties of multibridged [3(n)]cyclophanes and their charge-transfer complexes in the solid state.

To develop an improved synthetic route to [3(6)](1,2,3,4,5,6)cyclophane (CP) 2, a more practical synthetic route to [3(5)](1,2,3,4,5)CP 3 than the original one was developed, which started from [3(2)](1,3)CP 7 via [3(4)](1,2,4,5)CP 5. The fundamental structural parameters of [3(n)]CPs (n = 3-6) in the solid state were elucidated, and the observed structures were in good agreement with the most stable conformers in solution and those predicted by the theoretical calculations. In the case of [3(6)]CP 2, the most stable C(6)(h) structure was observed in the crystal structure of the 2-TCNQ-F(4) (1:1) complex, whereas the highly strained structure with a D(6)(h) symmetry was observed in the crystal structure of 2 and the 2:TCNQ:benzene (1:1:1) complex because of a severe disorder problem.