Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry
Division
Commission on Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry
Nomenclature for the C60-Ih
and C70-D5h(6) Fullerenes
Fullerenes are a new allotrope of carbon characterized by a closed
cage structure consisting of an even number of three coordinate carbon
atoms devoid of hydrogen atoms. This class was originally limited to
closed-cage structures with twelve isolated five-membered rings, the
rest being six-membered rings.
Although it was recognized that organic ring nomenclature could be used
for these structures, the resulting names would be extremely unwieldy
and inconvenient for use. At the same time, it was also recognized that
established organic principles could be used, or adapted, to provide
a consistent nomenclature for this unique class of compounds based on
the class name fullerene. However, it was necessary to develop an entirely
new method for uniquely numbering closed cage systems.
This paper describes IUPAC recommendations for naming and uniquely numbering
the two most common fullerenes with isolated pentagons, the icosahedral
C60 fullerene and the D5h-C70 fullerene.
It also describes adaptations of organic nomenclature principles for
naming derivatives of fullerenes with nonclosed cage structures, heterofullerenes,
derivatives formed by substitution of hydrofullerenes, and the fusion
of organic rings or ring systems to the fullerene cage. Finally, this
paper suggests methods for describing structures consisting of two or
more fullerene units and for denoting configurations of chiral fullerenes
and their derivatives.
> Download full text of the Provisional
Recommendations (pdf file - 1.34MB)
Comments by 30 November 2001
To Dr. Warren H. Powell
1436 Havencrest Court
Columbus, Ohio 43220-3841, USA
Tel.: +1-614-451-1830
E-mail: [email protected]
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