, a=9.886(3), b=12.376(4), c=13.845(6) Angstrom, alpha=73.97(3), beta=88.58(3), gamma=83.26(3)degrees, Z=1; 6: triclinic,
, a=10.767(2), b=13.221(2), c=15.986(2) Angstrom, alpha=102.57(1), beta=101.13(1), gamma=109.91 (1)degrees, Z=2. Treatment of these complexes with an aqueous solution of guanidinium sulfate yields the respective Ba free metallomacrocycles. The crystal structure of one of these (3 . H2O) has been determined. 3 . H2O: triclinic,
, a=8.106(3), b=11.836(4), c=13.174(4) Angstrom, alpha=88.22(3), beta=76.64(3), gamma=70.30(3)degrees, Z=2. Its geometry is compared with its parent compound 5. It reveals that coordination of the Ba2+ cation (0.6 Angstrom above the mean plane of the O atoms) has little influence on the conformation of the macrocycle. The polyether ring in the two Ba complexes differs in size yet the Ba ... Ni distances are remarkably similar (3.664(5) versus 3.723(3) Angstrom) suggesting that the two metal atoms although not bonding may be touching.