Hydration or hydroxylation: direct synthesis of fullerenol from pristine fullerene [C 60 ] via acoustic cavitation in the presence of hydrogen peroxide

A green low energy approach avoiding the use of toxic or corrosive reagents/solvents is proposed for the synthesis of potential fullerenol moieties [C 60 (OH) n · m H 2 O], in which C 60 in dil. H 2 O 2 (30%) aqueous media was ultrasonicated (20 kHz, 200 W) at 30% amplitude for 1 h.