Reaction of [60]fullerene with CF3COOHal affords an unusual 1,3-dioxolano-[60]fullerene

Reaction of C60 with acyl hypohalogenites CF3COOBr or CF3COOI in the presence of water affords an orthoester-type 1,3-dioxolanofullerene in 40–50% yield. This method cannot be applied for the synthesis of 1,3-dioxolanofullerenes bearing aryl- or alkyl-groups since they undergo non-selective halogenation under the reaction conditions.