Novel Materials Based on Macrofullerenes

The class of new materials based on macrofullerenes with emphasis on C 60 and C 70 , is presented and synthetic concepts of polymer derivatives of fullerenes are outlined. A classification system is suggested and discussed. The fundamentals of fullerene reactivity, both major types of fullerene-containing polymers, main chain and side chain polymers as well as special types such as telechelic, macrocyclic, dendrimeric, and star-shaped fullerene materials are highlighted and, additionally, fullerene-containing copolymers via radical polyreactions and preparative aspects of surface-attached fullerenes are presented. The properties of the macromolecular fullerene derivatives are discussed in view of their structure and application.