Molecular recognition. Self-assembly of molecular trigonal prisms and their host–guest adducts

Two supramolecular trigonal prisms, each bearing three molecular clefts are shown to form 1:6 and 1:7 host–guest complexes with 9-methylanthracene and one of the prisms forms a 1:2 host–guest complex with a tritopic tri-anthracene guest that registers with the recognition sites of the host.