Diamondoids are the carbon cage molecular species which attract attention of researchers in various fields such as interstellar chemistry , nanotechnology , and medicinal chemistry . The basic molecular unit of these is adamantane (Ada, C 10 H 16 ) . Ada and higher neutral diamondoids (diamantane, triamantane, etc.) as well as derivatives thereof have been extensively studied over decades, in particular with regard to their vibrational, electronic, and optical properties .