We present an AFM/STM analysis of an ionic C60derivative, complemented by Raman measurements, light microscopy and mass spectrometry. It was previously demonstrated that this molecule self‐organizes into rod‐like structures. Our SPM investigations confirmed the formation of rods and revealed in detail a chiral fashion of the latter. The chirality is suggested to originate from the angle between the apolar C60sphere and it’s charged functional group. On the micrometer scale superstructures could be observed which apparently originate from a dendritic growth process. The superstructures withstand heat treatment at 200 °C, but the functional groups are lost, and the remaining C60undergoes a three dimensional polymerization. © 2003 American Institute of Physics