Structure and Photoluminescence of a Benzil Nanocolumn in a <i>C</i>-Methylcalix[4]resorcinarene-Based Framework

A new framework based on C-methylcalix[4]resorcinarene and the flexible nonconjugated spacer 1,4-bis(imidazol-1yl-methyl)benzene encloses a large one-dimensional channel, containing benzil nanocolumns. Unlike in a previously reported series of benzil-containing supramolecular solids with conjugated linker molecules, benzil luminescence is observed, but the lifetime of 580 ns at 77 K is considerably shorter than the 145 μs reported for neat benzil at room temperature.