Inner-phase stabilization of reactive intermediates

Molecular container compounds are spherical, hollow molecules with inner ca vities (inner phases) that are large enough to accommodate a single guest m olecule. These inner phases are superb environments for the stabilization a nd spectroscopic investigation of important reactive intermediates. The sur rounding host protects the incarcerated reactive intermediate from dimeriza tion or from a reaction with bulk-phase reactants that are too large to ent er the inner phase by passing through a portal in the host shell.