Entrapment of ferrocenes within supramolecular, deep-cavity resorcin[4]arenes

Using a template-based method to molecular self-assembly, the ability of fe rrocene (FcH) and two of its acetylated derivatives [FcAc, 1,1'-Fc(Ac)(2)] to induce formation of a supramolecular deep cavity based upon C-methylcali x[4]resorcinarene 1 and 4,4'-bipyridine 2, 1.2(2), 3, is revealed; equatori al inclusion of 1,1'-Fc(Ac)(2) within 3 promotes a change in conformation o f the guest.