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 C₆₀ (log K_a = 5.3 ± 0.2) and C₇₀ (log K_a = 6.3 ± 0.6). Light-induced ESR spectra demonstrate that intracomplex PET processes take place in solution.