Noncovalent π⋅⋅⋅π‐Stacked Exo‐Functional Nanotubes: Subtle Control of Resorcinarene Self‐Assembly

By manipulating the crystallization conditions of C-methyl recorcinarene, a motif of self-assembled helical nanotubes held together by extensive π⋅⋅⋅π interactions is obtained. The tube, depicted (red=O, white=H, gray=C), has an exo-functionalized hydrophilic outer surface capable of complex formation with cationic or neutral guests and a hydrophobic interior potentially suitable for the transportation of small hydrophobic molecules.