This paper reports a new effect in template-directed Schiff base condensation, a "fine-tuning" of the macrocyclic structure in accordance with the precise coordination requirements of the metal ion. The nature of the metal template determines the outcome of Schiff base condensation between a difunctional carbonyl component (2,6-diacetylpyridine) and a trifunctional amine component (tris(3-aminopropyl)amine, trpn). Both Cu(II) and Ni(II) facilitate [1 + 1] condensation with the formation of macrocyclic products in 50-60% yield, but single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that the chemical structure of the major product is metal-ion dependent. In the nickel(II) complex [Ni(L(sym))](2+), the C=N double bonds are conjugated with the pyridine ring, as expected from the structure of the starting diacetylpyridine. In contrast, the copper(II) ion caused isomerization of the macrocyclic ligand, with one of the C=N double bonds migrating into the initially saturated six-membered chelate ring forming [Cu(L(asym))](2+). The second product isolated, in small quantities, from the copper(II)-templated condensation has been characterized as an isomeric symmetric macrocycle [Cu(L(sym))](2+). In the case of the zinc(II) template, no macrocyclic product has been isolated; instead, a zinc(II) complex of the starting tetramine, Zn(trpn)Cl(2).2H(2)O, was recovered and structurally characterized. An unusual double-bond migration in the course of Cu(II)-directed template condensation is governed by the coordination requirements of the central metal ion. The asymmetric ligand isomer is more flexible than its symmetric counterpart and can therefore better accommodate the five-coordinate central metal ion. This effect is more pronounced for the copper(II) complex than for the nickel(II) complex, because of shorter in-plane M-N distances in the former, as follows from the X-ray structure determination. The position of the double bond in the macrocyclic ring influences the spectral properties of the copper(II) complexes and the ionization constants of the amino group in the side arm.