Formation and optical absorption of clusters of the p-tert-butylcalix[8]arene:C₆₀ complex

Depending on the initial concentrations of fullerene (C₆₀) and p-tert-butyl calix[8]arene (C[8]A) in toluene, two regimes of their interaction were distinguished. The changes in optical absorption of C₆₀:C[8]A mixed solutions observed over a period of time suggest that the following consecutive processes take place upon interaction between C₆₀ and C[8]A in toluene: (1) molecular inclusion, and (2) growth and sedimentation of the insoluble C₆₀/C[8]A clusters. At increased concentrations of the components, process (2) is suppressed and stable C₆₀/C[8]A colloids can be formed. Spectral features of these colloids in different solvents clearly indicate the difference between self-aggregated C₆₀ and small clusters of the complex. A specific influence of the C[8]A cage on the entrapped C₆₀ molecules is also confirmed by IR spectroscopy of the complex in the solid state.