TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preparation (claimed): Fullerene and hydroxyl-containing compound of formula: R1-C(=X)-OH are reacted in the presence of the metallic compound containing VIII group metal, IX group metal and/or X group metal to obtain fullerene derivative (I). Preferred Compound: The metallic compound is iron compound. The metallic compound contains halogen atom. The molar ratio of metallic compound with respect to amount of fullerene is 0.01-1000. The molar ratio of hydroxyl-containing compound with respect to amount of fullerene is 0.01-1000. The fullerene is reacted with hydroxyl-containing compound at -30 degrees C or more and 200 degrees C or less in a solvent. Preferred Method: A compound having active hydrogen is reacted with fullerene intermediate derivative (I). Fullerene derivative having structure in which one active hydrogen is removed from fullerene skeleton, and free radical is added to fullerene skeleton, is obtained. Hydroxyl compound of formula: R2-OH is added after reacting metallic compound and hydroxyl-containing compound with fullerene. Substituent-OR2 compound is added to fullerene skeleton of intermediate derivative. The intermediate derivative is reacted with compound having active hydrogen and water to obtain fullerene derivative (B) of formula: FLN(-(OC(=X)R1)a)(-(OH)b). Linear compound of formula: R3-Q and fullerene derivative (B) are reacted to obtain fullerene derivative of formula: FLN(-(OC(=X)R1)a)(-(OR3)b).R3=R2 excluding H;andQ=atom or atom group capable of reacting with hydroxyl group on fullerene ring. Preferred Definitions:    a,b=2;and    FLN=C60 fullerene skeleton, C70 fullerene skeleton, methano fullerene skeleton of one or two adduct, or cycloaddition fullerene skeleton of one or two adduct.    EXAMPLE - (In mg) C60 fullerene (500) was dissolved in 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane (25 mL). Iron (III) chloride (2.3) and 2,6-dimethyl benzoic acid (1) were added and stirred at 25 degrees C. Water was added and reaction was stopped. Insoluble content was removed, purified, and vacuum-dried. C60 fullerene derivative was obtained at selectivity of 82%, purity of 99% and yield of 70%.