The reactions of fullerenes with benzyl chioride or allyl bromide in the presence of SmI~2 or YbI~2 have been found to be a convenient method for alkylation of fullerenes. Mass spectrometric analyses show the formation of (CH~2=CHCH~2)~nC~6~0(n=1 to 10), (C~6H~5CH~2)~nC~6~0 (n=1 to 14) and (C~6H~5CH~2)~nC~7~0 (n=1 to 13). A possible mechanism was proposed.

Key words: FULLERENES, YTTERBIUM, IODINE COMPOUNDS, SAMARIUM, ALKYLATION