Fullerene C60 as an Endohedral Molecule within an Inorganic Supramolecule

C 60 ⊂[Cu 26 Cl 26 L 2 {Cp*Fe(η 5 -P 5 )} 13 (CH 3 CN) 9 ] (L = H 2 O) represents a first example of a complete encapsulation of C 60 itself by an inorganic fullerene-like system via molecular recognition of the five- and sixfold-symmetric structural motif of C 60 . The product exhibits an inorganic cover consisting of 99 inorganic core atoms from pentaphosphaferrocene and Cu(I) chloride building blocks. This is the first instance of a hollow structure that completely encapsulates C 60 . The overall spherical molecule possesses an outer diameter of 2.3 nm and shows a remarkable electronic interaction between C 60 and the encapsulating giant molecule.