dodecahedrane hydrocarbon, C20 H20

Source: ORTEP plot: JACS, 1986,108, 1343-44

Why?

The pentagonal dodecahedrane hydrocarbon, C20 H20, is a chemical model for one of the Platonic solids, the pentagonal dodecahedron. Synthesized by Leo Paquette & co-workers, this lovely highly symmetric molecule crystallizes in space group Fm-3 (No. 202) with Th symmetry. The asymmetric unit contains only 2 carbon atoms and 2 hydrogen atoms.—Judy Gallucci