Determination of the Electron Density Distribution in the Bonds of a Fullerene Derivative by High-Resolution X-Ray Structure Analysis

Bent bonds in the strained fullerene system , restricted to the 5,6] bonds, were detected by high-resolution X-ray structure analysis of the 1,2-dihydro60]fullerene derivative 1 . In addition the maxima of electron densities are higher in the 6,6] bonds than in the 5,6] bonds—an important finding with respect to the question of the extent of electron delocalization in fullerenes.