Supramolecular traps for highly phosphorylated inositol sources of phosphorus.

Structurally elusive inositol hexakisphosphates have been trapped in host-guest sandwiches between two picolinamide macrocycles that remain intact in solution, aided by hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions. This first report of macrocyclic complexes of inositol hexakisphosphates provides structural insight to significant biosources of phosphorus that impact the global phosphorus cycle.