Hydrogenated fullerenes (fulleranes) in space

Abstract

Since the first laboratory synthesis of C₆₀ in 1985, fullerene-related species have been proposed to interpret various astronomical features. After more than 25 years' efforts, several circumstellar and interstellar features have been convincingly assigned to C₆₀, C₇₀, and C60+. These successes resulted from the recent advancements in observational, experimental, as well as computational techniques, and re-stimulated interest in searching for fullerene derivatives in space. As one of the most important fullerene derivatives, hydrogenated fullerene (fullerane) is likely to exist in circumstellar and interstellar conditions. This review gives an overview of the chemical properties and spectral signals of fulleranes focusing on those relevant to astronomy. We summarize previous proposals of fulleranes as the carrier of astronomical features at UV, optical, infrared, and radio wavelengths, and discuss the arguments favoring or disfavoring the presence of fulleranes in astronomical environments. Although no unambiguous detection of fulleranes in space has yet been reported, there are plausible evidences for supporting the formation of certain fullerane isomers.