Supramolecular assemblies of 1,2-dicarbadodecaborane(12) with bowl-shaped calix[5]arene

Treatment of globular 1,2-dicarbadodecaborane(12) (o-carborane) 1. with the bowl-shaped container molecule calix[5]arene 2 affords either the crystall ine 1:1 or 1:2 host-guest complexes (o-carborane) (calix[5]arene) (CH2Cl2) 3, (o-carborane) (calix[5]arene) (toluene) 4 and (o-carborane)(calix[5]aren e)(2)(CH2Cl2)(0.5) 5. The three complexes show a remarkable range of differ ent supramolecular interplay beyond the common structural unit, a ball-and- socket nanostructure or supermolecule [(o-carborane)boolean AND(calix[5]are ne)]. Complex 3 forms dimeric [(o-carborane)boolean AND(calix[5]arene)](2) units. and 5 has an additional edge on interaction between the supermolecul e and a secondary calix[5]arene host.