Investigation of reactions between [60]fullerene and molecular fluorine in a CoF2 matrix

Fluorination of [60]fullerene dispersed in a CoF₂ matrix with molecular fluorine was studied. The reaction was carried out in a mass spectrometer. The partial pressures of volatile products were continuously monitored at the constant fluorine inlet. The differences in the activation barriers of subsequent fluorination from C₆₀ to C₆₀F₄₄ were estimated. The conditions, at which C₆₀F₁₈ and C₆₀F₃₆ were formed selectively, were found. Based on a comparison between the fluorination of pure C₆₀ and C₆₀ dispersed in CoF₂ matrix, the role of a matrix in the selectivity of this process was elucidated.