Starting from the synthesis of a new methanofullerene derivative bearing an alcohol group, we report on the preparation of a water-soluble, fullerene-pendant copolymer. This multifunctional, C-60-pendant maleic anhydride copolymer was characterized by conductometric titration, Fourier transform infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and cyclic voltammetry. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.