[60]Fullerene is irradiated in the presence of the electron transfer sensitizer 9,10-dicyanoanthracene (DCA) under cosensitization with biphenyl. The generated radical cation C-60(.+) reacts with H-donors such as tert-butylmethyl ether, propionaldehyde and alcohols to give 1:1-adducts, the 1-substituted 1,2-dihydro[60]fullerenes. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.