Embracing C60 with multiarmed geodesic partners

1,3,5,7,9-Pentakis(4-methoxyphenylthio)corannulene (3), 1,3,5,7,9-pentakis(2-naphthylthio)corannulene (4), and 1,3,6,8-tetrakis(4-methoxyphenylthio)corannulene (5b) have been synthesized by chlorination of corannulene with ICI in CH2Cl2 at 25 degreesC and subsequent nucleophilic aromatic substitution with the appropriate sodium thiophenolate in DMEU at 25 degreesC. H-1 NMR titration studies demonstrate that these novel bowl-shaped hosts form 1: 1 complexes with C-60 in toluene-d(8) solution with association constants of 454, 368, and 280 M-1, respectively.