Self-inclusion and paraffin intercalation of the p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene host: a neutral organic clay mimic

Abstract
Two newly identified structures arise upon the crystallisation of the p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene host molecule from tetradecane: the guest-free, self-included host structure, and a 1:1 host–guest structure in which the paraffin guest is anchored in the bowl-shaped host cavity and intercalates layers of host molecules in a lamellar structure reminiscent of clays.