Functionalized [13.3.3](1,2,4)crownophane 1 was designed and synthesized with the intention to switch the distance between PtII centers by external stimuli when incorporated as a backbone into the ligand of a dinuclear PtII complex. Two benzene rings linked by two propylene bridges build up the cyclophane scaffold of 1. An additional crown ether bridge introduces the feature of varying the opening angle of the cyclophane triggered by cation complexation. The structure and breathing function of crownophane 1 were studied, and it was utilized as backbone ligand in dinuclear PtII complex 2.