The 8,17-bis(2-pyridylmethyI) -functionalised derivative ( Lz) of a 14-membered trans-N,S, dibenzo macrocycle 6,7,8,9,15,16,17,18-octahydrodibenzo[ f,m] E1.8.4.11 ]dithiadiazacyclotetradecine has been prepared and its crystal structure determined. The ligand Lz forms stable complexes with nickel(l1) 1, copper(ii) 2 and cobalt(i1) 3. The complexes have been isolated in the solid state and characterised by standard methods and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal data for L2: space group P2,lc. a = 945.6(1), b = 1467.9(2), c = 1041.1 (2) pm, p = 115.67(1)", Z = 2, R(R') = 0.035(0.040) for 2183 observed reflections. Complex 1: space group P2,/n, a = 1418.8(3), b = 1288.8(3).c = 1867.0(4) pm, p = 109.20(3)", Z = 4, R ( R ' ) = 0.067(0.068) for 4124 observed reflections. The nickel atom lies outside the macrocyclic cavity and is in a distorted octahedral cis-N,S, environment. Complex 2: space group P r , a = 787.8(2), b = 11 37.5(2), c = 1800.5(4) pm. z = 98.84(3), p = 99.43(3), y = 94.74(3)", Z = 2, R ( R ' ) = 0.082(0.075) for 2165 observed reflections. The copper atom exhibits a highly distorted trigonal-prismatic co-ordination geometry with the following distances: Cu-S, 242.7(4) and 269.8(4), Cu-N(amine) 225.8(11) and 255.2(10) and Cu-N(pyridine) 198.4(11) and 200.2(12) pm, respectively. Complex 3: space group P i , a = 789.3(2), b = 1165.8(2), c = 1806.2(3) pm, a = 98.90(1), p = 98.86(2), y = 94.24(2)", Z = 2, R(R') = 0.066(0.063) for 3039 observed reflections. The geometry about high-spin cobalt(ii) is trigonal prismatic with average Co-S, Co-N(amine) and Co-N (pyridine) bond lengths of 252.5, 229.0 and 213.7 pm, respectively. The stereochemistry of the free and complexed ligand is discussed