Exploiting phenyl embraces and pi-stacking in the assembly of arrays of tetraphenylphosphonium p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene.

Phenyl embraces involving tetraphenylphosphonium cations feature in complexes of p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene where a phenyl ring of a cation is included in the cavity of the calixarene. The overall structures are based on pseudo-polymorphic supramolecular arrays and their formation is templated or induced by lanthanide ions.