The formation of maximally reduced hydrogen(oxygen)-containing fullerene C-
60 fragmentation products (naphthalene, methylnaphthalenes, caproic acid, b
enzophenone, 6,7-dimethyl-5,7-octadiene-2-ol, etc.) was detected by the met
hod of chromate-mass spectrometry in the oxidation of fullerene by molecula
r oxygen containing traces of water at 520 degreesC without a catalyst. Sto
ichiometric participation of water in the oxidation of C-60 was described a
s oxidative hydration-disproportionation to carbon dioxide and hydrogen(oxy
gen)-containing fragmentation products, which occurred in parallel with the
main reaction of deep oxidation to CO2. This side process was responsible
for the 1/2000th part of the total conversion of fullerene. Under the same
conditions but in the presence of catalytic admixtures of NaOH, the rate of
oxidation of C-60 increased 2.2 times, and only CO2 was formed.