Binucleating, macrocyclic [14]N4 ligands and their complexes. Synthesis of the free ligand 2,3-dioxo-5,6:13,14-dibenzo-9,10-(4',5'-dimethylbenzo)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-7,11-diene (L) and of the 7,12-Me2-L metal complexes and derivatives. Crystal structures and properties of the [M'][M(7,12-Me2-L)] complexes (M = Ni(II); M = Co(II); M' = ZnCl2, M = Ni(II); M' = [Na(5-crown-15)]+, M = Ni(II); M' = [(C2H5)4N]+, M = Ni(II))