Hexameric capsules of lipophilic pyrogallolarene and resorcinarene in solutions as probed by diffusion NMR: one hydroxyl makes the difference.

[reaction: see text] NMR diffusion measurements were used to characterize the self-assembled molecular capsule of pyrogallolarene 2c in CDCl(3) solutions. The results were compared with the characteristics of the hexameric capsule of 1b. Although both 2c and 1b self-assemble into hexameric capsules, the role of water in these capsules is rather different. It was also found that the capsule of 2c is more stable in polar media than that of 1b.