The structure of fullerene can be interpreted as a condensation of 20 cyclohexatriene rings [with single- and double-bond lengths of 1.450 (4) Angstrom and 1.390(4) Angstrom, respectively] to form a highly symmetrical sphere. The addition of the bis(ethoxycarbonyl)methano group to a double bond prevents the known disorder of the unsubstituted fullerene molecule in the solid phase.