Disclosure of the elusive [C.sub.2v]-[C.sub.72] carbon cage

The synthesis and isolation of the elusive fullerene cage ([C.sub.2v]-[C.sub.72]) is described. The [C.sub.2v]-[C.sub.72] cage is captured by in situ chlorination to form [C.sub.72][Cl.sub.4] and the chlorination pattern and resulting stability of [C.sub.72][Cl.sub.4] are discussed.