Macrocycles 1 and 2 consist of four XI units (Fig. ) and feature fixed cone conformations and -OAlk groups positioned at   100, optimal for the high ESP at Ha. The ESP values of 1 and 2 reach +240 kJ mol -1 in the apex area and remain high also in the vicinity of the neighboring aliphatic groups. The ESP values calculated for the macrocycles are much higher than for their components (XI), highlighting the importance of convergence. It is also important to note that 1 and 2 have large dipole moments ( = 14.5 D for 1 and  = 15.8 D for 2) directed vertically, which is a consequence of their cone geometry (components perpendicular to the main axis cancel out, while the vertical components sum up). To estimate the potential of 1 and 2 as anion receptors, we compared them with the 'golden standards' in the area, that is the tetratriazole macrocycle I and cyanostar II (Fig. ). Calculations performed at the same level of theory indicate that the ESP values for 1 and 2 are similar to that of II (+240 kJ mol -1 ) and only slightly lower than that of I (+270 kJ mol -1 ).