Surgery of fullerenes

Recent attempts at the synthesis of endohedral fullerenes by organic reactions, so-called molecular surgery'' methods, are surveyed. The creation of an opening on the surface of fullerene cages allowed insertion of He, H-2, H2O, or CO within the cages. An effective route to suture'' an opening was established to realize a new endohedral fullerene, H-2@C-60. Further development of this operation as well as the properties and reactions of H-2@C-60 are summarized. Also the application of the encapsulated H-2 molecule as an NMR probe for the study of aromaticity of ionic fullerenes is described.