Molecular inclusion of organometallic sandwich complexes within hybrid cavitand-resorcin[4]arene receptors.

Two different hybrid cavitand-resorcin[4]arenes are shown to be effective and selective receptors for the molecular inclusion of positively charged organometallic sandwich complexes of appropriate size. The binding constants of the 1 : 1 complexes formed with a series of neutral and positively charged metallocenes have been calculated using different titration techniques. The motion of the included metallocene and the kinetics of the complexation process are investigated. The voltammetric behaviour of the inclusion complexes formed with cobaltocenium is also studied.