After extensive studies of 1D and 2D skeletal carbo-mers based on C 8 π-conjugating dialkynylbutatriene units (DABs:~C � CÀ (R)C=C = C=C(R)À C � C~) bridging sp or sp 2 centers in carbo-butene, carbo-xylylene or carbobenzene derivatives, 3D versions are envisaged through carbo-barrelenes and partially reduced derivatives thereof where two or three DAB blades span a bridge between sp 3 carbinol vertices or ether thereof. For R = Ph, stable representatives were synthesized through a pivotal [6] pericyclynedione, and extensively characterized by spectroscopic, electrochemical and crystallographic methods. Density functional theory calculations allow detailed analysis of structural and electronic features of the 7 Å high C 26 barrelshaped molecules, and show that they can behave as cages for ionic species. Beyond aesthetical concerns, the results could open prospects of applications in host-guest supramolecular chemistry and single molecule charge transport.