This oxidation state assignment was further supported by spin density calculations (DFT). Indeed, the Mulliken population analysis showed the spin density in 9* to be fully localized on the metal-oxo unit (primarily on the Mn center, with a minor contribution from the Ooxo atom), and to have a negligible spin delocalization over the phenolic oxygens (Figure ). Thus, remarkably, despite containing the easily oxidizable phenol groups, the cavitand behaves as a redoxinnocent ligand framework.