A dinuclear macrocyclic ligand containing [12]aneN 3 and its two transition metal complexes, [Zn 2 L(OAc) 2 ](ClO 4 ) 2 (1) and [Cu 2 L(OAc) 2 ](ClO 4 ) 2 (2) have been synthesized and characterized on the basis of elemental analyses, molar conductivities, 1 H-n.m.r, IR spectra, electronic spectra and thermal analysis. In addition, the studies on the hydrolysis of a caboxy ester, 4-nitrophenyl acetate (NA), promoted by the two complexes were also investigated. The experimental results indicated that the two complexes can efficiently catalyze hydrolysis of NA, and the k NA for complexes (1) and (2) at pH 7.25, 25°C, were calculated to be 4.46 Â 10 )2 and 4.21 Â 10 )2 M )1 s )1 , respectively, which are better than those of the corresponding mononuclear complex in the same conditions.