Tripodal exTTF-CTV Hosts for Fullerenes

A receptor for fullerenes featuring three exTTF units linked to a CTV scaffold is described. The exTTF-CTV host forms remarkably stable complexes with both C-60 (log K-a = 5.3 +/- 0.2) and C-70 (log K-a = 6.3 +/- 0.6). Light-induced ESR spectra demonstrate that intracomplex PET processes take place in solution.