Cahn-Ingold-Prelog descriptors of absolute configuration for carbon cages

A simplified procedure is described for assigning Cahn-Ingold-Prelog descri ptors to stereocentres in spheroalkanes (the CnHn molecules, with n even, b ased on trivalent, polyhedral carbon frameworks, a class which subsumes the fulleranes). By extension, similar descriptors can be found for the atoms of fullerenes and related carbon-only molecules. Assignment maps are given for chiral fullerenes C-28, C-76, C-78, C-84 and C-140, and for a number of spheroalkanes. Cases of breakdown of the simple procedure for triangle-ric h spheroalkane molecular graphs are discussed.