Synthesis and Isolation of the Titanium–Scandium Endohedral Fullerenes—Sc2TiC@Ih‐C80, Sc2TiC@D5h‐C80 and Sc2TiC2@Ih‐C80: Metal Size Tuning of the TiIV/TiIII Redox Potentials

The formation of endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs) in an electric arc is reported for the mixed‐metal Sc–Ti system utilizing methane as a reactive gas. Comparison of these results with those from the Sc/CH₄ and Ti/CH₄ systems as well as syntheses without methane revealed a strong mutual influence of all key components on the product distribution. Whereas a methane atmosphere alone suppresses the formation of empty cage fullerenes, the Ti/CH₄ system forms mainly empty cage fullerenes. In contrast, the main fullerene products in the Sc/CH₄ system are Sc₄C₂@C₈₀ (the most abundant EMF from this synthesis), Sc₃C₂@C₈₀, isomers of Sc₂C₂@C₈₂, and the family Sc₂C_{2 n} (2 n=74, 76, 82, 86, 90, etc.), as well as Sc₃CH@C₈₀. The Sc–Ti/CH₄ system produces the mixed‐metal Sc₂TiC@C_{2 n} (2 n=68, 78, 80) and Sc₂TiC₂@C_{2 n} (2 n=80) clusterfullerene families. The molecular structures of the new, transition‐metal‐containing endohedral fullerenes, Sc₂TiC@I_h‐C₈₀, Sc₂TiC@D_5h‐C₈₀, and Sc₂TiC₂@I_h‐C₈₀, were characterized by NMR spectroscopy. The structure of Sc₂TiC@I_h‐C₈₀ was also determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, which demonstrated the presence of a short Ti=C double bond. Both Sc₂TiC‐ and Sc₂TiC₂‐containing clusterfullerenes have Ti‐localized LUMOs. Encapsulation of the redox‐active Ti ion inside the fullerene cage enables analysis of the cluster–cage strain in the endohedral fullerenes through electrochemical measurements.     

New Trifluoromethylated Derivatives of Metal Nitride Clusterfullerenes: Sc3N@Ih‐C80(CF3)14 and Sc3N@D5h‐C80(CF3)16

Trifluoromethylated derivatives of Sc₃N@I_h‐C₈₀ and Sc₃N@D_5h‐C₈₀ were synthesized by the reaction with CF₃I at 440 °C. HPLC separation of the mixture of Sc₃N@D_5h‐C₈₀(CF₃)_n derivatives resulted in isolation and X‐ray structure determination of Sc₃N@D_5h‐C₈₀(CF₃)₁₆, which represents a precursor of the known Sc₃N@D_5h‐C₈₀(CF₃)₁₈. Among the CF₃ derivatives of Sc₃N@I_h‐C₈₀, two new isomers of Sc₃N@I_h‐C₈₀(CF₃)₁₄ ( Sc‐14‐VI and Sc‐14‐VII ) were isolated by HPLC, and their molecular structures were determined by X‐ray diffraction, thus enabling a comprehensive comparison of altogether seven isomers. Two types of addition patterns with different orientations of the Sc₃N cluster relative to the I_h‐C₈₀ fullerene cage were established. In particular, Sc‐14‐VII represents a direct precursor of the known Sc₃N@I_h‐C₈₀(CF₃)₁₆‐ II . All molecular structures exhibit an ordered position of a Sc₃N cluster inside the fullerene C₈₀ cage.     

C68 Fullerene Isomers,Anions, and their Metallofullerenes: Charge‐Stabilizing Different Isomers

The complete set of 6332 classical isomers of the fullerene C₆₈ as well as several non‐classical isomers is investigated by PM3, and the data for some of the more stable isomers are refined by the DFT‐based methods HCTH and B3LYP. C₂:0112 possesses the lowest energy of all the neutral isomers and it prevails in a wide range of temperatures. Among the fullerene ions modeled, C₆₈^2?, C₆₈^4? and C₆₈^6?, the isomers C₆₈^2?(C_s:0064), C₆₈^4?(C_2v:0008), and C₆₈^6?(D₃:0009) respectively, are predicted to be the most stable. This reveals that the pentagon adjacency penalty rule (PAPR) does not necessarily apply to the charged fullerene cages. The vertical electron affinities of the neutral C_s:0064, C_2v:0008, and D₃:0009 isomers are 3.41, 3.29, and 3.10 eV, respectively, suggesting that they are good electron acceptors. The predicted complexation energy, that is, the adiabatic binding energy between the cage and encapsulated cluster, of Sc₂C₂@C₆₈(C_2v:0008) is ?6.95 eV, thus greatly releasing the strain of its parent fullerene (C_2v:0008). Essentially, C₆₈ fullerene isomers are charge‐stabilized. Thus, inducing charge facilitates the isolation of the different isomers. Further investigations show that the steric effect of the encaged cluster should also be an important factor to stabilize the C₆₈ fullerenes effectively.     

Regiospecific Coordination of Re3 Clusters with the Sumanene‐Type Hexagons on Endohedral Metallofullerenes and Higher Fullerenes That Provides an Efficient Separation Method

The reactions of [(μ‐H)₃Re₃(CO)₁₁(NCMe)] with Sc₂@C₈₂‐C_3v(8), Sc₂C₂@C₈₀‐C_2v(5), Sc₂O@C₈₂‐C_s(6), C₈₆‐C₂(17), and C₈₆‐C_s(16) have been carried out to produce face‐capping cluster complexes. The Re₃ triangles are found to bind to the sumanene‐type hexagons on the fullerene surface regiospecifically. In contrast, Sc₃N@C₇₈‐D_3h(5) and Sc₃N@C₈₀‐I_h show no reactivity toward [(μ‐H)₃Re₃(CO)₁₁(NCMe)], probably due to electronic and steric factors. These complexes can be easily purified by using HPLC. Carbonylation of each complex releases the corresponding higher fullerene or endohedral metallofullerene in pure form. Remarkably, the C₈₆‐C₂(17) and C₈₆‐C_s(16) isomers were successively separated through Re₃ cluster complexation/decomplexation. This unique bonding feature may provide an attractive general strategy to purify as yet unresolved fullerene mixtures.     

An Efficient Method to Separate Sc3N@C80 Ih and D5h Isomers and Sc3N@C78 by Selective Oxidation with Acetylferrocenium [Fe(COCH3C5H4)Cp]+

Based on the different oxidation potentials of endohedral fullerenes Sc₃N@C₈₀ I_h and D_5h and Sc₃N@C₇₈, an efficient and useful method that avoids HPLC has been developed for their separation. Selective chemical oxidation of the Sc₃N@D_5h‐C₈₀ isomer and Sc₃N@C₇₈ by using an acetylferrocenium salt [Fe(COCH₃C₅H₄)Cp]⁺ followed by column chromatographic separation and reduction with CH₃SNa resulted in the isolation of pure Sc₃N@I_h‐C₈₀, Sc₃N@C₇₈, and a mixture of Sc₃N@D_5h‐C₈₀ and Sc₃N@C₆₈.     

Bonding in Endohedral Metallofullerenes as Studied by Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules

Metal–cage and intracluster bonding was studied in detail by quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) for the four major classes of endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs), including monometallofullerenes Ca@C₇₂, La@C₇₂, M@C₈₂ (M=Ca, Sc, Y, La), dimetallofullerenes Sc₂@C₇₆, Y₂@C₈₂, Y₂@C₇₉N, La₂@C₇₈, La₂@C₈₀, metal nitride clusterfullerenes Sc₃N@C_2n (2n=68, 70, 78, 80), Y₃N@C_2n (2n=78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88), La₃N@C_2n (2n=88, 92, 96), metal carbide clusterfullerenes Sc₂C₂@C₆₈, Sc₂C₂@C₈₂, Sc₂C₂@C₈₄, Ti₂C₂@C₇₈, Y₂C₂@C₈₂, Sc₃C₂@C₈₀, as well as Sc₃CH@C₈₀ and Sc₄O_x@C₈₀ (x=2, 3), that is, 42 EMF molecules and ions in total. Analysis of the delocalization indices and bond critical point (BCP) indicators such as G_bcp/ρ_bcp, H_bcp/ρ_bcp, and |V_bcp|/G_bcp, revealed that all types of bonding in EMFs exhibit a high degree of covalency, and the ionic model is reasonable only for the Ca‐based EMFs. Metal–metal bonds with negative values of the electron‐density Laplacian were found in Y₂@C₈₂, Y₂@C₇₉N, Sc₄O₂@C₈₀, and anionic forms of La₂@C₈₀. A delocalized nature of the metal–cage bonding results in a topological instability of the electron density in EMFs with an unpredictable number of metal–cage bond paths and large elipticity values.     

Monometallic cyanide cluster fullerene YCN@C78: A theoretical prediction

Stimulated by the recent experimental success in production and characterization of YCN@C_s(6)‐C₈₂, the possibility of encapsulating YCN cluster in the C₇₈ fullerene has been performed using density functional theory. Six isomers of YCN@C₇₈ are considered based on six lowest energy C₇₈^2? isomers. The results reveal that YCN@D_3h(24109)‐C₇₈ and YCN@C_2v(24107)‐C₇₈, both of which satisfy the isolated‐pentagon rule, present excellent thermodynamic stability with very small energy differences. Moreover, the large HOMO‐LUMO gaps (1.55 and 1.47 eV for YCN@D_3h(24109)‐C₇₈ and YCN@C_2v(24107)‐C₇₈, respectively) indicate their high kinetic stabilities. Significantly, in both the structures, the encapsulated YCN cluster is triangular, similar to the cases of YCN@C_s(6)‐C₈₂ and TbCN@C₂(5)‐C₈₂. In addition, electronic absorption spectra, infrared spectra, and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of two stable structures have also been explored to further disclose the molecular structures and properties. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Molecular Structure and Magnetic and Optical Properties of Endometallonitridofullerene Sc3N@Ih-C80 in Neutral,Radical Anion,and Dimeric Anionic Forms

A series of compounds with Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀ in the neutral, monomeric, and dimeric anion states have been prepared in the crystalline form and their molecular structures and optical and magnetic properties have been studied. The neutral Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀ ⋅ 3 C₆H₄Cl₂ ( 1 ) and (Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀)₃(TPC)₂ ⋅ 5 C₆H₄Cl₂ ( 2 , TPC=triptycene) compounds both crystallized in a high-symmetry trigonal structure. The reduction of Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀ to the radical anion resulted in dimerization to form diamagnetic singly bonded (Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀⁻)₂ dimers. In contrast to {[2.2.2]cryptand(Na⁺)}₂(Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀⁻)₂ ⋅ 2.5 C₆H₄Cl₂ ( 3 ) with strongly disordered components, we synthesized new dimeric phases {[2.2.2]cryptand- (K⁺)}₂(Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀⁻)₂ ⋅ 2 C₆H₄Cl₂ ( 4 ) and {[2.2.2]cryptand- (Cs⁺)}₂(Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀⁻)₂ ⋅ 2 C₆H₄Cl₂ ( 5 ) in which only one major dimer orientation was found. The thermal stability of the (Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀⁻)₂ dimers was studied by EPR analysis of 3 to show their dissociation in the 400–460 K range producing monomeric Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀^.− radical anions. This species shows an EPR signal with a hyperfine splitting of 5.8 mT. The energy of the intercage C−C bond was estimated to be 234±7 kJ mol⁻¹, the highest value among negatively charged fullerene dimers. The EPR spectra of crystalline (Bu₃MeP⁺)₃(Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀^.−)₃ ⋅ C₆H₄Cl₂ ( 6 ) are presented for the first time. The salt shows an asymmetric EPR signal, which could be fitted by three lines. Two lines were attributed to Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀^.−. Hyperfine splitting is manifested above 180 K due to the hyperfine interaction of the electron spin with the three scandium atoms (a total of 22 lines with an average splitting of 5.32 mT are observed at 220 K). Furthermore, each of the 22 lines is additionally split into six lines with an average separation of 0.82 mT. The large splitting indicates intrinsic charge and spin density transfer from the fullerene cage to the Sc₃N cluster. Both the monomeric and dimeric Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀⁻ anions show an intrinsic shift of the IR bands attributed to the Sc₃N cluster and new bands corresponding to these species appear in the NIR range of their UV/Vis/NIR spectra, which allows these anions to be distinguished from neutral species.     

Crystallographic Evidence for Direct Metal–Metal Bonding in a Stable Open‐Shell La2@Ih‐C80 Derivative

Endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs) have novel structures and properties that are closely associated with the internal metallic species. Benzyl radical additions have been previously shown to form closed‐shell adducts by attaching an odd number of addends to open‐shell EMFs (such as Sc₃C₂@I_h‐C₈₀) whereas an even number of groups are added to closed‐shell EMFs (for example Sc₃N@I_h‐C₈₀). Herein we report that benzyl radical addition to the closed‐shell La₂@I_h‐C₈₀ forms a stable, open‐shell monoadduct instead of the anticipated closed‐shell bisadduct. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction results show the formation of a stable radical species. In this species, the La?La distance is comparable to the theoretical value of a La?La covalent bond and is shorter than reported values for other La₂@I_h‐C₈₀ derivatives, providing unambiguous evidence for the formation of direct La?La bond.     

La2@Cs(17 490)‐C76: A New Non‐IPR Dimetallic Metallofullerene Featuring Unexpectedly Weak Metal–Pentalene Interactions

Although all the pure‐carbon fullerene isomers above C₆₀ reported to date comply with the isolated pentagon rule (IPR), non‐IPR structures, which are expected to have different properties from those of IPR species, are obtainable either by exohedral modification or by endohedral atom doping. This report describes the isolation and characterization of a new endohedral metallofullerene (EMF), La₂@C₇₆, which has a non‐IPR fullerene cage. The X‐ray crystallographic result for the La₂@C₇₆/[Ni^II(OEP)] (OEP=octaethylporphyrin) cocrystal unambiguously elucidated the C_s(17 490)‐C₇₆ cage structure, which contains two adjacent pentagon pairs. Surprisingly, multiple metal sites were distinguished from the X‐ray data, which implies dynamic behavior for the two La³⁺ cations inside the cage. This dynamic behavior was also corroborated by variable‐temperature ¹³⁹ La NMR spectroscopy. This phenomenon conflicts with the widely accepted idea that the metal cations in non‐IPR EMFs invariably coordinate strongly with the negatively charged fused‐pentagon carbons, thereby providing new insights into modern coordination chemistry. Furthermore, our electrochemical and computational studies reveal that La₂@C_s(17 490)‐C₇₆ has a larger HOMO–LUMO gap than other dilanthanum‐EMFs with IPR cage structures, such as La₂@D_3h(5)‐C₇₈ and La₂@I_h(7)‐C₈₀, which implies that IPR is no longer a strict rule for EMFs.     

Stabilizing a three-center single-electron metal–metal bond in a fullerene cage

Trimetallic carbide clusterfullerenes (TCCFs) encapsulating a quinary M₃C₂ cluster represent a special family of endohedral fullerenes with an open-shell electronic configuration. Herein, a novel TCCF based on a medium-sized rare earth metal, dysprosium (Dy), is synthesized for the first time. The molecular structure of Dy₃C₂@I_h(7)-C₈₀ determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction shows that the encapsulated Dy₃C₂ cluster adopts a bat ray configuration, in which the acetylide unit C₂ is elevated above the Dy₃ plane by ∼1.66 Å, while Dy–Dy distances are ∼3.4 Å. DFT computational analysis of the electronic structure reveals that the endohedral cluster has an unusual formal charge distribution of (Dy₃)⁸⁺(C₂)²⁻@C₈₀⁶⁻ and features an unprecedented three-center single-electron Dy–Dy–Dy bond, which has never been reported for lanthanide compounds. Moreover, this electronic structure is different from that of the analogous Sc₃C₂@I_h(7)-C₈₀ with a (Sc₃)⁹⁺(C₂)³⁻@C₈₀⁶⁻ charge distribution and no metal–metal bonding.

A novel trimetallic carbide clusterfullerene, Dy₃C₂@I_h(7)-C₈₀, was successfully synthesized and isolated, and the encapsulated Dy₃C₂ cluster adopts a bat ray configuration featuring an unprecedented three-center single-electron Dy–Dy–Dy bond.     

Quantum Chemical Insight of the Dimetallic Sulfide Endohedral Fullerene Sc2S@C70: Does It Possess the Conventional D5h Cage?

Like C₆₀, C₇₀ is one of the most representative fullerenes in fullerene science. Even though there are 8149 C₇₀ isomers, only two of them have been found before: the conventional D_5h and an isolated pentagon rule (IPR)‐violating C_2v(7854). Through the use of quantum chemical methods, we report a new unconventional C₇₀ isomer, C₂(7892), which survives in the form of dimetallic sulfide endohedral fullerene Sc₂S@C₇₀. Compared with the IPR‐obeying C₇₀ and the C_2v(7854) fullerene with three pairs of pentagon adjacencies, the C₂(7892) cage violates the isolated pentagon rule and has two pairs of pentagon adjacencies. In Sc₂S@C₂(7892)‐C₇₀, two scandium atoms coordinate with two pentalene motifs, respectively, presenting two equivalent Sc? S bonds. The strong coordination interaction, along with the electron transfer from the Sc₂S cluster to the fullerene cage, results in the stabilization of the non‐IPR endohedral fullerene. The electronic structure of Sc₂S@C₇₀ can be formally described as [Sc₂S]⁴⁺@[C₇₀]^4?; however, a substantial overlap between the metallic orbitals and cage orbitals has also been found. Electrochemical properties and electronic absorption, infrared, and ¹³C NMR spectra of Sc₂S@C₇₀ have been calculated theoretically.     

Synchrotron Radiation for Structural Chemistry—Endohedral Natures of Metallofullerenes Found by Synchrotron Radiation Powder Method

The recent progress of the structural studies of endohedral metallofullerenes by the synchrotron radiation (SR) powder diffraction utilizing the maximum entropy method (MEM) is reviewed. Results of the endohedral metallofullerenes (Y@C₈₂, La@C₈₂, Sc@C₈₂, Sc₂@C₈₄, Sc₃@C₈₂, Sc₂@C₆₆, La₂@C₈₀ and Sc₂C₂@C₈₄) are given. The precise MEM charge densities of metallofullerenes presents the direct image of endohedral nature of metallofullerenes indicating the charge transfer from metal atoms to carbon cage, which governs the stability of the unique endohedral structures. The MEM/Rietveld method and SR powder method using imaging plate (IP), which are the crucial methods for data analysis and measurement in order to determine structure of fulleride, are also mentioned in some detail.     

Synthesis,Isolation, and Spectroscopic Characterization of Holmium‐Based Mixed‐Metal Nitride Clusterfullerenes: HoxSc3−xN@C80 (x=1, 2)

The synthesis, isolation and spectroscopic characterization of holmium‐based mixed metal nitride clusterfullerenes Ho_xSc_3?xN@C₈₀ (x=1, 2) are reported. Two isomers of Ho_xSc_3?xN@C₈₀ (x=1, 2) were synthesized by the reactive gas atmosphere method and isolated by multistep recycling HPLC. The isomeric structures of Ho_xSc_3?xN@C₈₀ (x=1, 2) were characterized by laser‐desorption time‐of‐flight (LD‐TOF) mass spectrometry and UV/Vis/NIR, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. A comparative study of M_xSc_3?xN@C₈₀ (M=Gd, Dy, Lu, Ho) demonstrates the dependence of their electronic and vibrational properties on the encaged metal. Despite the distinct perturbation induced by 4f¹⁰ electrons, we report the first paramagnetic ¹³C NMR study on Ho_xSc_3?xN@C₈₀ (I; x=1, 2) and confirm I_h‐symmetric cage structure. A ⁴⁵Sc NMR study on HoSc₂N@C₈₀ (I, II) revealed a temperature‐dependent chemical shift in the temperature range of 268–308 K.     

Synthesis and Characterization of the D5h Isomer of the Endohedral Dimetallofullerene Ce2@C80: Two‐Dimensional Circulation of Encapsulated Metal Atoms Inside a Fullerene Cage

Herein we show the synthesis and characterization of the second known Ce₂@C₈₀ isomer. A ¹³C NMR spectroscopic study revealed that the structure of the second isomer has D_5h symmetry. Paramagnetic NMR spectral analysis and theoretical calculation display that the encapsulated Ce atoms circulate two‐dimensionally along a band of ten contiguous hexagons inside a D_5h‐C₈₀ cage, which is in sharp contrast to the three‐dimensional circulation of two Ce atoms in an I_h‐C₈₀ cage. The electronic properties were revealed by means of electrochemical measurements. The D_5h isomer of Ce₂@C₈₀ has a much smaller HOMO–LUMO gap than cluster fullerenes (M₃N@C₈₀, M=Sc, Tm, and Lu) with the same D_5h‐C₈₀ cages. The chemical reactivity was investigated by using disilirane as a chemical probe. The high thermal reactivity toward 1,1,2,2‐tetramesityl‐1,2‐disilirane is consistent with the trends of the redox potentials and the lower LUMO level of the D_5h isomer of Ce₂@C₈₀ compared with that of C₆₀.     

Atomic structure and electronic properties of nanopeapods: Isomers of endohedral dititanofullerenes Ti2@C80 in carbon nanotubes

The atomic structure, charge and electronic parameters, and energies of formation of new “hybrid” nanostructures-nanopeapods Ti₂@C₈₀@C-NTs, regular linear ensembles of seven isomers of endohedral dititanofullerenes Ti₂@C₈₀ encapsulated into a carbon zigzag (19.0) nanotube—have been calculated by the self-consistent density functional tight-binding method (DFTB). The results are discussed in comparison to the “free” isomers of C₈₀ fullerenes and Ti₂@C₈₀ endofullerenes, as well as to all-carbon nanopeapods, i.e., C₈₀ isomers inside a carbon nanotube (C₈₀@C-NT). It is demonstrated that the type of Ti₂@C₈₀ isomer determines the energy effect of its encapsulation into the tube (exo-or endothermic), the orientational arrangement of end-ofullerenes in the tube, the charge states of the Ti₂@C₈₀ and tube atoms, and the electronic properties of nanopeapods (semiconducting or metallic).     

Theoretical study of endohedral metallofullerenes: Sc3−nLanN@C80 (n=0–3)

To provide theoretical insight into the structures and properties of Sc₃N@C₈₀, which has been isolated in high yield and purity as a new stable endohedral metallofullerene, density functional calculations are carried out for the Sc_3?nLa_nN@C₈₀ (n=0–3) series. Because of electron transfer from Sc₃N to C₈₀, the electronic structure of Sc₃N@C₈₀ is formally described as (Sc₃N)⁶⁺C$_{80}^{6-}$. The encapsulated Sc₃N cluster takes a planar structure with long Sc–Sc distances and is highly stabilized inside the I_h cage of C₈₀, which rotates rapidly. As the number of La atoms increases, the Sc_3?nLa_nN cluster is forced to maintain a pyramidal structure in Sc_3?nLa_nN@C₈₀. In addition, the C₈₀ cage takes an open‐shell electronic structure due to an increase in the number of electrons transferring from Sc_3?nLa_nN. These make the endohedral structure less stable and more reactive. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 22: 1353–1358, 2001     

Synthesis and Electrochemical Studies of Bingel–Hirsch Derivatives of M3N@Ih‐C80 (M=Sc,Lu)

Bingel–Hirsch derivatives of the trimetallic nitride template endohedral metallofullerenes (TNT‐EMFs) Sc₃N@I_h‐C₈₀ and Lu₃N@I_h‐C₈₀ were prepared by reacting these compounds with 2‐bromodiethyl malonate, 2‐bromo‐1,3‐dipyrrolidin‐1‐ylpropane‐1,3‐dionate bromide, and 9‐bromo fluorene. The mono‐adducts were isolated and their ¹H NMR spectra showed that the addition occurred with high regioselectivity at the [6,6] bonds of the I_h‐C₈₀ fullerene cage. Electrochemical analysis showed that the reductive electrochemistry behavior of these derivatives is irreversible at a scan rate of 100 mV s^?1, which is comparable to the behavior of the pristine fullerene species. The first reduction potential of each derivative is either cathodically or anodically shifted by a different value, depending on the attached addend. Bis‐adducts containing EtOOC‐C‐COOEt and HC‐COOEt addends were isolated by HPLC and in the case of Sc₃N@I_h‐C₈₀ the first reduction potential exhibits a larger shift towards negative potentials when compared to the mono‐adduct. This observation is important for designing acceptor materials for the construction of bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cells, since the polyfunctionalization not only increases the solubility of the fullerene species but also offers a promising approach for bringing the LUMO energy levels closer for the donor and the acceptor materials.     

Effect of cage size on the third‐order optical properties of endohedral metallofullerenes Sc3N@C2n (2n = 68, 70, 78, and 80): A theoretical study

Geometrical structures of the investigated endohedral metallofullerenes Sc₃N@C_2n (2n = 68, 70, 78, and 80) were optimized at the B3LYP/6‐31G* level. The analyses of electronic structures display that the contribution of fullerene cage to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital decreases as the cage size increases. Based on the optimized structures, the time‐dependent density functional theory combined with the sum‐over‐states method was used to investigate their nonlinear optical properties. Calculated third‐order polarizabilities γ and two‐photon absorption (TPA) cross‐section δ do not present the monotone variation with the size of fullerene cage, with largest γ of 0.48 × 10^?34 esu for Sc₃N@C₇₈ in static state, and largest δ of 12.374 GM for Sc₃N@C₇₀ in the wavelength of 902.5 nm. However, the obtained TPA resonant peaks shift red with the size of fullerene cage. By analyzing the electronic origin of the third‐order optical properties, it is found that the charge transfers from the fullerene cage to the encapsulated Sc₃N cluster make important contributions to the studied properties. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Investigation on stabilities and spectroscopy of C80O2 based on C80 (D5d) using density functional theory

The relative stabilities of the 17 possible isomers for C₈₀O₂ based on C₈₀ (D_5d) were studied using Becke three parameters plus Lee, Yang, and Parr's (B3LYP) method and 6‐31G (d) basis set in density functional theory. The most stable geometry of C₈₀O₂ was predicted to be 23,24,27,28‐C₈₀O₂ (A) with annulene‐like structures, where the additive bonds are those between two hexagons (6/6 bonds) near the equatorial belt of C₈₀ (D_5d). Electronic spectra of C₈₀O₂ isomers were calculated based on the optimized geometries using intermediate neglect of differential overlap (INDO) calculation. Compared with those of C₈₀ (D_5d), the first absorptions in the electronic spectra of C₈₀O₂ are blue‐shifted owing to the wide energy gaps. ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra and nucleus independent chemical shifts of the C₈₀O₂ isomers were computed at B3LYP/6‐31G level. The chemical shifts of the bridged carbon atoms in the epoxy structures of C₈₀O₂ compared with those of the bridged carbon atoms in the annulene‐like structures are changed upfield. Generally, the isomers with the annulene‐like structures of C₈₀O₂ are more aromatic than those with the epoxy structures. The addition of the oxygen atoms near the pole of C₈₀ (D_5d) is favorable to improving the aromaticities of C₈₀O₂. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009