Supramolecular fullerene chemistry

This review documents the exceptional range of research avenues in supramol ecular fullerene chemistry that have been pursued during the past decade. I t illustrates how molecular complexation of pristine fullerenes developed f rom solid state enclathration by pi-electron-rich compounds to inclusion co mplexation by designed macrocyclic receptors in the liquid phase. Progress in covalent fullerene functionalisation led to the development of spectacul ar supramolecular architectures including rotaxanes, catenanes, DNA complex es, diads and triads for photoinduced electron and energy transfer and orde red thin films. All of these molecular assemblies and supramolecular arrays feature distinct properties as a consequence of the presence of the fuller ene components. Recent investigations hinting at potential technological ap plications of supramolecular fullerene, such as in sensorics, are highlight ed.