Acetylenic Cyclophanes as Fullerene Precursors: Formation of C60 H6 and C60 by Laser Desorption Mass Spectrometry of C60 H6 (CO)12.

A logical precursor of macrocycle C60 H6 , cyclophane C60 H6 (CO)12 (1) represents a building block in a possible total synthesis of C60 . In Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance laser desorption mass spectroscopic experiments in the negative-ion mode, 1 fragments to C60 H6 (2) under successive loss of CO. Further loss of six H atoms and rearrangement gives C60 ions with a fullerenic structure. © 1998 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH, Weinheim, Fed. Rep. of Germany.