A simple shape-persistent organic molecular container is capable of selective absorption and storage of I(2(g)) over water vapor and NO gas even in its amorphous solid state. In addition, the strongly associated I(2) can be efficiently released from the charged container in organic solvents under ambient conditions.

A simple organic molecular container can selectively encapsulate the volatile and highly reactive MeI through hydrogen-bonding interactions in solution. The remarkable encapsulation of MeI without self-methylation of the container appears to be determined by the complementary binding sites and the rigidity of the hydrogen-bonding array constrained by the molecular framework.