Chlorinated derivatives of c78-fullerene isomers with unusually short intermolecular halogen-halogen contacts

The chlorinated fullerenes C78(2)Cl18 and C78(3)Cl18 were synthesized by highly selective chlorination of the individual isomers. They were crystallized as C78(2)Cl18 x Br2 x TiCl4 and solvent free C78(3)Cl18. The carbon connectivities of both isomers have been confirmed through X-ray single-crystal analysis. Studious investigation of both crystal packings together with the crystal structure of C78(4)Cl18 has revealed the presence of unusually short intermolecular halogen-halogen contacts, which provide evidence for attractive intermolecular interactions, the nature of which is discussed.