A calix[3]carbazole-based cavitand: synthesis, structure and its complexation with fullerenes.

A calix[3]carbazole-based cavitand was conveniently synthesized. It was found that the cavitand with adjustable conformation could show excellent complexation with fullerenes C 60 and C 70 in both solution and the solid state. Moreover, the crystal structures of the host-guest complexes show that the cavitand can stack into channel-like architectures, in which fullerenes are orderly arranged inside.