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Fullerene chemistry
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fullerene chemistry is a field of organic chemistry devoted to the chemical properties of fullerenes.[1][2][3] Research in this field is driven by the need to functionalize fullerenes and tune their properties. For example, fullerene is notoriously insoluble and adding a suitable group can enhance solubility.[1] By adding a polymerizable group, a fullerene polymer can be obtained. Functionalized fullerenes are divided into two classes: exohedral fullerenes with substituents outside the cage and endohedral fullerenes with trapped molecules inside the cage.
![Fullerene C60](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/Buckminsterfullerene-2D-skeletal.png/640px-Buckminsterfullerene-2D-skeletal.png)
This article covers the chemistry of these so-called "buckyballs," while the chemistry of carbon nanotubes is covered in carbon nanotube chemistry.