Synthetic sequences for the preparation of 6,7,9,10,14,15,17,18-octafluoro[4.2]paracyclophane (1) and 6,7,9,10-tetrafluoro[4.2]paracyclophane (2) are outlined. The u.v. absorption of compound 1 is hypsochromically shifted more than 20 nm from the long wavelength band (286–291 nm) characteristic of the [2.2]paracyclophanes.