Electrostatic and short-range interactions compete in directing the structure of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene inclusion compounds of fluorinated benzenes.

p-tert-Butylcalix[4]arene guest-host compounds with fluorinated benzenes show several structural motifs, thus indicating that the guest-host structure can be tuned to produce either a form with included guests or a form where the host self-includes with the guests outside the cavity.