Inter-digitation approach to encapsulation of C60: [C60 ⊂ (p-phenylcalix[5]arene)2]Dedicated to Professor Jerry L. Atwood on the occasion of his 60th birthday.

p-Phenylcalix[5]arene shows a strong and selective binding of C60 in toluene resulting in crystallisation of a hemispherically inter-digitated 2:1 complex; the receptor itself crystallizes from toluene with self assembly through phenyl group inclusion.