Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method for synthesizing compounds of the formula where Cm is a fullerene having m carbon atoms, the method comprising the steps of forming a linear malonate compound of the formula where each Z is the same or different and is a straight-chain or branched-chain aliphatic radical having from 1-30 carbon atoms which may be unsubstituted or monosubstituted or polysubstituted by identical or different substitutents, in which radicals up to every third —CH2— unit can be replaced by O or NR?, n is an integer from 2 to 10, and the unfilled valences of the first and nth malonate groups are filled with bonds to hydrogen, a hydrocarbon group or substituted hydrocarbon group having 1-20 carbon atoms, or a chain containing unsubstituted or substituted aryl or other cyclic groups; or (ii) a branched malonate compound of the formula where Z? is an aliphatic radical having from 1-30 carbon atoms which may be unsubstituted or monosubstituted or polysubstit