Stacking of Molecules Possessing a Fullerene Apex and a Cup-Shaped Cavity Connected by a Silicon Connection

Hexagonal or tetragonal packing of columnar stacks in crystals and liquid crystals has been observed for a series of molecules possessing a fullerene apex and an aromatic cone that are connected with a Si−C connection. The columnar stacking of the new shuttlecock molecules is constitutionally stable but conformationally flexible due to the large cavity created on the top of the fullerene molecule.