Synthesis of fullerenes

We present a review of the methods most frequently used for the synthesis of fullerenes and the changes that these methods have experienced since 1985 when Kroto and co-workers discovered C60. We also analyze the most important models that explain the mechanism of the formation of fullerenes in carbon soot, as well as the new methodologies that lead to the rational chemical synthesis of fullerenes and of fullerene fragments as precursors.