Ship in a breakable bottle: fluoride-induced release of an organic molecule from a Pr(iii)-linked molecular cageElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Synthetic details, experimental procedures, and characterization data. Structural details for H2L, NMC-1, and NMC-2. CCDC 1475464-1475466. For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format see DOI: 10.1039/c6cc03471c

A 3-dimensional networked molecular cage, NMC-1 , has been synthesized. This macrocycle-based framework was prepared from a solvothermal reaction involving a flexible organic building block, calix[4]pyrrole dibenzoic acid (H 2 L ), and Pr(NO 3 ) 3 ·6H 2 O. A unique feature of NMC-1 is that it retains free calix[4]pyrrole molecules in the framework pores. Treatment with a fluoride anion source serves to destroy the network and allows release of the organic guest. The net result is a 'molecular ship' in a 'breakable bottle'. A 3-dimensional networked molecular cage, NMC-1 , has been synthesized that acts like a 'molecular ship' in a 'breakable bottle'.