Chlorinated Derivatives of C78‐Fullerene Isomers with Unusually Short Intermolecular Halogen–Halogen Contacts

The chlorinated fullerenes C78(2)Cl18 and C78(3)Cl18 were synthesized by highly selective chlorination of the individual isomers. They were crystallized as C78(2)Cl18 x Br2 x TiCl4 and solvent free C78(3)Cl18. The carbon connectivities of both isomers have been confirmed through X-ray single-crystal analysis. Studious investigation of both crystal packings together with the crystal structure of C78(4)Cl18 has revealed the presence of unusually short intermolecular halogen-halogen contacts, which provide evidence for attractive intermolecular interactions, the nature of which is discussed.