A variety of regioisomeric bifunctionalized beta-cyclodextrins derivatized with an imidazole and a metal ligand tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (tren) group were prepared. As their Zn2+ complexes, these compounds show bifunctional catalysis of phosphate hydrolysis with a regioisomeric preference. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.