One-step Synthesis of Fullerene Hydride C60H2 via Hydrolysis of Acylated Fullerenes

The hitherto unexplored class of acylated fullerene compounds has been shown to be excellent C60H2 precursors. Upon a simple treatment with basic Al2O3, they are hydrolyzed quantitatively into C60H2. This key feature led to the development of a new, straightforward protocol for the selective synthesis of the simplest [60]fullerene hydride, C60H2. This protocol may offer an advantageous alternative to previously known methods for the synthesis of C60H2 allowing for a rapid access to C60H2 in good yield and high purity without tedious separating processes.