Synthesis of diverse N, O-bridged calix[1]arene[4]pyridine-C60 dyads and triads and formation of intramolecular self-inclusion complexes

Starting from both the bridging nitrogen atom-functionalized and the upper rim-functionalized N,O-bridged calix[1]arene[4]pyridine reactants, different types of heteracalixaromatics-C-60 dyads and triads of varied spacers were expediently synthesized using mainly the click reaction as the key step. By means of various spectroscopic methods, the heteracalixaromatics-C-60 dyads and triads obtained have been shown to form intramolecular self-inclusion complexes rather than oligomers or polymers in solution because of a flexible spacer in between the heteracalixaromatic ring and C-60 moiety. The current study, coupled with previous investigations, would provide the guideline for the construction of supramolecular fullerene motifs based on molecular design of the dyads and triads.