methyl groups at the ethano bridge and the methoxy groups at the aromatic rings while compound 6 prefers the anti-conformation typical of (3.2)metacyclophanes. The assignment of syn-conformations has been confirmed by 1 H NMR analyses and X-ray diffraction studies. Photoinduced transannular cyclization of (n.2)metacyclophanenes ( 3) and (6) in the presence of iodine as an oxidant afforded phenanthrene-anellated