A general route to 5,5’-difunctionalized bis(m-phenylene) macrocycles (1) is reported. Bis(5-carbomethoxy-1,3-phenylene)-30-crown-4 (1e) has been synthesized in one step from methyl 3,5-dihydroxybenzoate and 1,10-dibromodecane in the presence of sodium hydride in dimethylformamide. This monomer is suitable for synthesis of backbone polymacrocycles of predominantly hydrocarbon character.