Isolation and crystal structure of the trifluoromethyl derivative C84(24)(CF3)18 of a minor C84 fullerene isomer

C₁-C₈₄(24)(CF₃)₁₈ was isolated by HPLC from the trifluoromethylation products of a C₈₄ fullerene mixture. Its molecular structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction using synchrotron radiation. In the addition pattern, 18 CF₃ groups are arranged near the cage equator, thus isolating five benzenoid rings and three C=C bonds on the carbon cage.