Fullerenes total synthesis

Fullerene networks themselves have become fascinating targets. The preparation of a dimeric form of Ceo (C120) is already documented. A scheme for the rational opening, filling, and closing of a fullerene is close to becoming reality, while a total synthesis of Qo appears within reach. 

Novel Fullerene-Based Carbon Allotropes and Total Synthesis of C60... 

Fullerene generation by vaporization of graphite or by combustion of hydrocarbons is very effective and certainly unbeatable what facile production in large quantities is concerned. However, total synthesis approaches are attractive because (a) specific fullerenes could be made selectively and exclusively, (b) new endohedral fullerenes could be formed, (c) heterofullerenes and (d) other cluster modified fullerenes could be generated using related synthesis protocols. 

Alternatively, some of the prototypes of fullerene derivatives shown in Fig. 1 can be obtained directly during the fullerene formation out of graphite in the presence of foreign elements, by particle implantation methods or by total synthesis approaches. Most of the endohedral metallofullerenes are currently generated during the fullerene formation whereas partial structures are basically provided from total syntheses. For total synthesis approaches of fullerenes and their derivatives see [7]. 

Fullerene derivatization is also possible by structural modification of the core. The simplest case consists in the insertion of a carbon atom or a heteroatom into a C-C bond and is encountered in homo[60]- [28-32, 75] and -[70] fullerenes [27,75-77]. Only a few deeper modifications, creating small holes in the fullerene shell are known of Cgo [31,75] and C70 [75,78]. Looking at structurally modified fullerenes in a broader sense and from the viewpoint not of cage degradation but assembly, it is clear that much more work - mostly aimed at buckybowls [79] or the total synthesis of buckminsterfuUerene [80] - has been dedicated to this topic. 

Total electrochemical dehalogenation of perhalogenated hydrocarbons may present a template pattern for the synthesis of fullerenes. The idea of replicating of the precursor s structure was fruitful for the synthesis of Cgo from perfluoronaphthalene ... 

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