From major to minor and back - a decisive assessment of C60H36 with respect to the Birch reduction of C-60

Hydrogenated fullerenes derived from the Birch reduction and from hydrogen transfer reduction of [60]fullerene have been examined by matrix-assisted l aser desorption ionization; applying 9-nitroanthracene as the matrix, it ha s been possible to desorb and ionise the samples with such a low degree of fragmentation as to enable the establishment of the amount of hydrogen boun d to the fullerene; in contrast to the currently assumed polyhydrofullerene distribution featuring C60H36 only as a minor component, evidence has been obtained which re-establishes C60H36 as the major product of the Birch red uction.