The synthesis of new ‘reinforced’ O2N2- and O3N2-donor single macrocycles together with isomeric three-ring products is described. The new derivatives, which respectively incorporate intra- and inter-ring bridges between nitrogen donor atoms, were obtained on reaction of the parent membered macrocycles with 1,3-dibromopropane (or, in the case of the monomeric ‘reinforced’ rings, also 1,2-dibromoethane).