New heteroditopic nickel(II) and copper(II) transition metal dithiocarbamate ion pair receptors that contain amide and crown ether recognition sites have been prepared via metal directed self-assembly. Preliminary coordination studies reveal that these systems bind group 1 metal cations and a variety of anions. With the ditopic nickel(II) receptor, bis benzo-15-crown-5 intramolecular sandwich complexation of potassium cation cooperatively enhances the recognition of acetate. Electrochemical investigations show the copper(II) receptor senses anions and cations via significant perturbations of the copper(II)/copper(III) dithiocarbamate redox couple.