Addition reactions of fullerenes

Summary form only given. In order to minimise strain in the the carbon cage, there is relatively little electron delocalisation in fullerenes, which therefore behave as giant (electron deficient) alkenes. They therefore undergo all the reactions typical of alkenes such as hydrogenation, halogenation, alkylation, alkylation, hydroxylation, metallation etc; the electron deficiency also makes them excellent dienophileg for the Diels-Alder reaction. The chemistry is of unparalleled complexity due to the myriad products that can be formed, and state-of-the-art techniques are needed to analyse them. Control of the extent of reaction is not yet possible in many cases, and progress has hardly begun on controlling the direction of subsequent additions. Steric hindrance is of overriding importance in these molecule which are rigid and therefore unable to flex to minimise steric interactions. Examples of the reactions, and analytical techniques employed will be described, together with some possible applications.