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Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Preparation and Characterization of C60/Graphene Hybrid Nanostructures
Published on: May 15, 2018
A rational chemical synthesis of C60
Lawrence T Scott1, Margaret M Boorum, Brandon J McMahon
1Department of Chemistry, Merkert Chemistry Center, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-3860, USA. lawrence.scott@bc.edu
Abstract:
Isolable quantities of C60, the smallest stable fullerene, have been synthesized in 12 steps from commercially available starting materials by rational chemical methods. A molecular polycyclic aromatic precursor bearing chlorine substituents at key positions forms C60 when subjected to flash vacuum pyrolysis at 1100 degrees C. No other fullerenes are formed as by-products. The methods we have developed for the target-specific synthesis of fullerenes, applied here to a synthesis of C60, should make possible the directed laboratory preparation of other fullerenes as well, including those not accessible by graphite vaporization.
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