Biphenylation using (Li (THF) 4) 2· Zr (biphe) 3 of hexabromotriptycenes bearing H (1-H) or Bu (1-Bu) at the bridgeheads gave triptycenes with triphenylene blades. The blades extend both perpendicular and parallel to the 3-fold axis and generate a large intramolecular free volume (IMFV)(1-H, AM1, 710 Å3; cf. triptycene, AM1 71 Å3). Crystals of 1-H could not be obtained. Triptycene 1-Bu, in which the Bu groups fill the voids near the bridgehead, was ...