Springer Fulleranes: The Hydrogenated Fullerenes: 2 (Carbon Materials: Chemistry and Physics, 2)

Fulleranes are a special class of carbon molecules derived from fullerenes whose double bonds are partially or at least theoretically fully saturated by hydrogen. The hydrogenation changes the chemical properties of fullerenes which can become susceptible to substitution reactions as opposed to addition reactions to the double bonds (present in common fullerenes). One of the most intriguing aspects of fulleranes is the fact that they have been thought to exist in the interstellar medium or even in certain circumstellar media. "Fulleranes: The Hydrogenated Fullerenes" presents the state of the art research, synthesis and properties of these molecules.This book also includes astrophysicists' and astrochemists' expectations regarding the presence of these molecules in space. Review From the reviews:“Buch hydrogenation was one of the very first reactions of fullerenes, reported by Haufler, Smalley, and numerous co workers in 1990. … the reader gets an overview of the role of fulleranes and related carbon nanostructures in absorption lines and hydrogen formation in the interstellar medium … . Overall, this book is a worthwhile investment for individuals or libraries who want a quick look at the state of the art of hydrogenated fullerenes.” (John P. Selegue, Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol. 133, 2011) From the Back Cover Fulleranes are a special class of carbon molecules derived from fullerenes whose double bonds are partially or at least theoretically fully saturated by hydrogen. The hydrogenation changes the chemical properties of fullerenes which can become susceptible to substitution reactions as opposed to addition reactions to the double bonds (present in common fullerenes). One of the most intriguing aspects of fulleranes is the fact that they have been thought to exist in the interstellar medium or even in certain circumstellar media. The reasoning is quite simple: if fullerenes can be formed in the interstellar or better in the circumstellar medium, then they should undergo a simple hydrogenation reaction because of the ubiquitous presence of hydrogen in the universe. There is therefore a need not only to synthesize fulleranes in order to study their properties but also to study their infrared and electronic absorption spectra. Such spectra are used in the search for these molecules in the interstellar medium and around certain promising carbon-rich stars. Many efforts have been made by chemists and chemical physicists to synthesize these molecules at different degrees of hydrogenation and to record their spectra. Thus, Fulleranes: The Hydrogenated Fullerenes presents the state of the art research, synthesis and properties of these molecules; astrophysicists and astrochemists detail their expectations regarding the presence of these molecules in space. Fulleranes: The Hydrogenated Fullerenes is written for researchers, postgraduates, and advanced undergraduates in organic synthetic chemistry, physical chemistry, and astrophysics.