Synthesis of fullerene- and fullerol-containing polymers

Fullerenes have been covalently attached along polydiene chains via a lithiation reaction. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements, together with thermal gravimetric analyses (TGA), indicate that both highly soluble and crosslinked polymeric fullerene derivatives can be prepared under appropriate reaction conditions. Furthermore, an aqueous methanol solution of hydrochloric acid is shown to be an efficient reagent for the conversion of the polymer-bound fullerenes to fullerols.