Fettered Fullerene
Cover Artwork for Nature Chemistry
Adding two groups to C₆₀ through Bingel cyclopropanation can lead to the formation of many different isomers that can be challenging to separate. Now, using a supramolecular masking approach that relies on the formation of a three-shell complex reminiscent of the concept of Russian dolls, Xavi Ribas, Max von Delius and co-workers have shown that it is possible to selectively form the trans-3 fullerene bis-adduct. As shown on the cover of this issue, the C₆₀ is encircled by a cycloparaphenylene nanohoop which, in turn, is encapsulated inside a self-assembled metal–organic nanocapsule, ensuring that bis-functionalization of the fullerene occurs only at accessible sites to give a single isomeric product.
Research
Prof. Max von Delius, Ulm University
Featured in
Nature Chemistry → Front Cover
Year
2021
Role
Scientific Illustration · Cover Artwork