Crucial influence of open-closed skeletal transitions on the electronic properties of fullerene was demonstrated.
Electrochemically promoted switching of electronic properties based on disruption of the conjugated 62π-electron system into the isolated 32 and 28π-electron fragments upon closing the [5,6]-bond in question.
Regioselective near-equatorial cycloproponation of trifluoromethylfullerene Cs-C70(CF3)8 was elaborated.
More compact alternatives promising molecular switching capabilities can be found within the family of pyramidalized polyenes.