GRAFTING OF POLYACETYLENE ONTO C-60 USING CHARGED NUCLEOPHILES

Two methods to attach polyacetylene (PA) chains onto C-60 are describe d. The first method, called 'arm first', is based on the addition of ' living' poly(phenylvinylsulfoxide) (PPVS), a soluble precursor for PA, onto a double bond of C-60. Up to three PA(exPPVS) or PS-b-PA(exPPVS) can be thus attached to the fullerene. The second method called 'in-o ut' is based on the ability of alkaline salts of grafted fullerenes to initiate anionic polymerization of phenylvinylsulfoxide (PVS). This p rocedure allowed us to add PA(exPPVS) chains onto C-60 adducts bearing at least four chains and four carbanions.