A lens-shaped supramolecule based on the bulky pentaphosphaferrocene [(CpFe)-Fe-BIG(& eta;(5)-P-5)] and CuBr2

Besides inherent fullerene-like hollow spheres, the metallasupramolecular chemistry of pentaphosphaferrocenes and CuBr2 afforded a conceptually new product, a compact 3.2 nm sized supramolecule [{1d}(6)(CuBr)(32)(CH3CN)(6)] formed by six largest pentaphosphaferrocene units [(CpFe)-Fe-BIG(& eta;(5)-P-5)] (1d: Cp-BIG = & eta;(5)-C-5(4-nBuC(6)H(4))(5)) so far and a framework of 32 copper and 32 bromide ions.