Abstract Fullerenes are a direct link between atoms with discrete electronic energy levels and solids with a band structure and a well defined surface. In collision experiments, both between energetic ions or electrons and neutral C60 molecules [Walch, B.; Cocke, C.L.; Voelpel, R.; Salzborn, E. Electron capture from C60 by slow multiply charged ions. Phys. Rev. Lett. 1994, 72, 1439–1442; Scheier, P.; Hathiramani, D.; Arnold, W.; Huber, K.; Salzborn, E. Multiple ionization and fragmentation of negatively charged fullerene ions by electron impact. Phys. Rev. Lett. 2000, 84, 55–58; Hathiramani, D.; Aichele, K.; Arnold, W.; Huber, K.; Salzborn, E.; Scheier, P. Electron‐impact induced fragmentation of fullerene ions. Phys. Rev. Lett. 2000, 85, 3604–3607], as well as between charged fullerene ions and neutral targets [Hvelplund, P.; Andersen, L.; Haugen, H.; Lindhard, L.; Lorents, D.C.; Malhotra, R.; Rouff, R. Dynamical fragmentation of C60 ions. Phys. Rev. Lett. 1992, 69, 1915–1918; Hvelplund, P.; Andersen, L....