The synthesis of macrocycles is an art in itself. Template-controlled synthesis provides elegant access to fascinating macrocyclic structures. Polyazamacrocycles, crown ethers, cryptands, rotaxanes, knots -- the range of macrocyclic compounds is as broad as their potential application as molecular switches, in ion exchange, electron transfer or catalysis. This book provides authoritative information on all aspects of template-controlled macrocyclizations. It covers in depth the current state of research on template processes - novel synthetic techniques and mechanistic approaches. The critical.