Stoichiometrically controlled direct solid-state synthesis of C60H2

The direct solid-state synthesis of C₆₀H₂ has been demonstrated by controlling the amount of hydrogen introduced into the reaction with C₆₀. Palladium hydride has been used as the source of hydrogen. The main product 1,2-C₆₀ is the isomer predicted to have the lowest energy of the possible 23 isomers; in addition, small amounts of the thermodynamically most stable isomer of C₆₀H₄, 1,2,3,4-C₆₀H₄, have also been obtained.