Covalent fullerene chemistry

A brief introduction to the reactivity principles governing the covalent chemistry of fullerenes is provided. The combination of synthetic fullerene and acetylene chemistry gives access to a family of novel molecular carbon allotropes with interesting physical properties. A versatile strategy for the regioselective preparation of specific bis- through hexakis-adducts of C-60 based on the tether-directed remote functionalization was developed. Large changes in chemical reactivity and physical properties occur when the conjugated pi-chromophore of the fullerene is reduced in size as a result of increasing functionalization. A novel synthesis of enantiomerically pure derivatives of C-60 with chiral addition patterns is described.