The book is written from the point of view of organic chemistry and follows a logical systematization of fullerene reactions: reduction, nucleophilic additions, cycloadditions, hydrogenation, radical additions, oxidation, reactions with electrophiles. Also treated are complexes with transition metals. Fullerene production, separation and purification is discussed comprehensively. Written in an engaging style, the book's 203 pages succeed in conveying the entire range of fullerene chemistry to chemists of various kinds. The author is not particularly concerned with the more theoretical aspects of fullerene topology, symmetry, or computations. After all, the latter would in fact require a monograph of its own, as would various physical applications of fullerenes. The monograph, however, covers all aspects of C60 derivatization, and touches C70 as understood in early 1994 (while chemistry of higher fullerenes was virtually unknown that time).
The Chemistry of the Fullerenes perfectly meets what a practicing research chemist would expect. The book, however, can serve for advanced courses, too. After a wave of multi-author compendia, this is the first single author work; it is balanced, systematic, and uniform in style. Hirsch's treatise is further evidence of the almost explosive development of fullerene science, which, within a few years, has already accumulated a wealth of results.
ISBN 313 136801 2