Stabilization of a Reactive Polynuclear Silver Carbide Cluster through the Encapsulation within a Supramolecular Cage

We report herein the synthesis of a new metal cluster-encapsulated supramolecular capsule, [(CC)@Ag5–6@(Py6)2]­(CF3SO3)3–4 (3, Py6 = azacalix[6]­pyridine), by use of a bowl-shaped macrocyclic ligand Py6. The multinuclear silver carbide cluster aggregate in 3 is encapsulated by two Py6 ligands through both metal–ligand coordination and cation−π interactions, spotlighting a new synthetic strategy for supramolecular capsules.