To explore their ability to immobilize C₆₀ non-covalently on gold surfaces, a series of thioctic esters derived from calix[n]arene, porphyrin and cyclotriveratrylene (CTV) have been prepared. Well-characterized self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of these compounds were used to incorporate [60]fullerene onto gold surfaces. SAMs of CTV derivatives 7 and 8, calix[8]arene derivative 6 and porphyrin derivatives 9 and 10 are reasonably effective at immobilizing C₆₀ on the surfaces, while calix[4]arene derivatives 1–4 and calix[6]crown-4 derivative 5 are not. However, the latter exhibit interesting metal cation and aromatic amine recognition properties, respectively. To cite this article: S. Zhang and L. Echegoyen, C. R. Chimie (9) 2006.