NOMENCLATURE AND CODING OF FULLERENES

An algorithm for deriving IUPAC names of fullerenes is described. Seve ral possible ways for coding of fullerenes are also discussed: the kno wn spiral ring code and its modified version, the Weinberg code, the c ode derived from the Eulerian trail, the code derived from the Brugess er-Mani theorem, two others based on a Hamiltonian cycle and a Hamilto nian path, and the code based on a path-cotree. A special nomenclature for fullerenes and their derivatives is under consideration in CAS an d IUPAC bodies, based upon a spiral passing through all atoms in a mol ecule. Some isomers relevant for this scheme are pointed out: two high ly symmetric isomers with no such spiral and one isomer with such a sp iral in only one direction.