The role of ammonium sulfate in regulation of the structure and properties of 2D films of fullerene C<Subscript>60</Subscript>

The effect of ammonium sulfate on the parameters of surface pressure isotherms (surface pressure and area per fullerene molecule) of 2D films of fullerene C₆₀ on the water/air interface has been studied by the Langmuir method. The possibility of regulation of the structure of 2D fullerene films has been shown. The maximal A ₀ value is achieved at an ammonium sulfate concentration of 1 × 10^?4 mol/L. Brewster angle microscopy shows that the presence of the electrolyte ensures the formation of a monomolecular 2D film with a lower content of defects.     

Lupane type triterpenes as structuring elements in the monolayers and films of lecithin and fullerene derivatives

Using compression and wetting isotherm analysis, it was shown that lupane triterpenes (betulinol, betulinol diacetate, betulinic acid) change crucially the state of monolayers and films of C₆₀ fullerene, nitroxide malonate C₆₀ methanofullerene, and lecithin and also the films of their mixtures at the water—air interface. The structuring action of triterpenes in the presence of lecithin and C₆₀ fullerene at high triterpene contents in the film gives rise to uniaxially oriented films similar to thin films of triterpenes (atomic force microscopy data). The formation of mixed bis-nitroxide malonate methanofullerene—triterpene films with excess of the latter affords structures shaped like crater-like bowls. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1369–1378, July, 2008.     

Comparison of electrochemical properties of two-component C60-Pd polymers formed under electrochemical conditions and by chemical synthesis

The electrochemical behavior of C₆₀-Pd polymer formed under electrochemical conditions and by the chemical synthesis was examined. In these polymers, fullerene moieties are covalently bonded to palladium atoms to form a polymeric network. Both materials deposited at the electrode surface show electrochemical activity at negative potentials due to the reduction of fullerene cage. Electrochemically formed thin polymeric films exhibit much more reversible voltammetric response in comparison to chemically synthesized polymers. The morphology and electrochemical behavior of chemically synthesized C₆₀-Pd polymer depend on the composition of grown solution. Chemical polymerization results in formation of large, ca. 50 μm, crystallic superficial structures that are composed of regular spherical particles with a diameter of 150 nm. The capacitance properties of C₆₀-Pd films were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and faradaic impedance spectroscopy. Specific capacitance of chemically formed films depends on the conditions of film formation. The best capacitance properties was obtained for films containing 1:3 fullerene to Pd molar ratio. For these films, specific capacitance of 35 Fg^?1 was obtained in acetonitrile containing (n-C₄H₉)₄NClO₄. This value is much lower in comparison to the specific capacitance of electrochemically formed C₆₀-Pd film.     

Supramolecular Interaction of Fullerenes with a Curved π‐Surface of a Monomeric Quadruply Ring‐Fused Porphyrin

Molecular binding of fullerenes, C₆₀ and C₇₀, with the Zn^II complex of a monomeric ring‐fused porphyrin derivative ( 2 ‐py) as a host molecule, which has a concave π‐conjugated surface, has been confirmed spectroscopically. The structures of associated complexes composed of fullerenes and 2 ‐py were explicitly established by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The fullerenes in the 2:1 complexes, which consist of two 2 ‐py molecules and one fullerene molecule, are fully covered by the concave surfaces of the two 2 ‐py molecules in the crystal structure. In contrast, in the crystal structure of the 1:1 complex consisting of one 2 ‐py molecule and one C₆₀ molecule, the C₆₀ molecule formed a π–π stacked pair with a C₆₀ molecule in the neighboring complex using a partial surface, which was uncovered by the 2 ‐py molecule. Additionally, the molecular size of fullerene adopted significantly affects the ¹H NMR spectral changes and the redox properties of 2 ‐py upon the molecular binding.     

Effective dispersion of fullerene with methacrylate copolymer in organic solvent and poly(methyl methacrylate)

Dispersion of fullerene, C₆₀, by addition of polymethacrylate dispersant in methyl methacrylate (MMA) and incorporation of C₆₀ into poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were investigated. Copolymers synthesized by radical copolymerization of MMA and 2-naphthyl methacrylate (NMA), poly(MMA-co-NMA), effectively dispersed C₆₀ in MMA to form clusters of 20?nm. In these cases, addition of minimal 110 naphthyl groups per unit C₆₀ molecule afforded to give clusters with minimum of 20?nm sizes. Furthermore, block copolymers, poly(MMA-b-NMA) with MMA/NMA mole ratio from 12:1 to 20:1, also efficiently dispersed C₆₀ to give formation of clusters of 20?nm size by addition of minimal 40 naphthyl groups per unit C₆₀ molecule, which was corresponding to approximate nine layers of naphthyl group in block copolymer adsorbed on the surface of the cluster. Hybrid films of C₆₀/PMMA, prepared by casting of C₆₀-dispersed solution containing PMMA, exhibited absorbance at 400?nm linearly increased with C₆₀ content.     

Solvent free mechanochemical oxygenation of fullerene under oxygen atmosphere

Oxygenation of fullerene took place under mechanical stressing by a simple vibration mill in an oxygen atmosphere at 1 atm. Milled products were mixtures of poly-oxidized fullerene, C₆₀O_n, containing C-O-C and CO bonds. We observed a concurrent reaction as well, that is, polymerization of C₆₀ and C₆₀O. The average number of oxygen, n, of the overall products obtained by milling for 5 h was 8.6 per molecule of C₆₀. We confirmed generation of singlet oxygen during the present mechanochemical reaction by an ESR spin trapping method. Trapping of ¹O₂ was completely inhibited the oxygenation of fullerene. Formation of ¹O₂ is attributed to the energy transfer from mechanically excited state of fullerene and plays a decisive role on the present oxygenation of fullerene under mechanical stressing in O₂. In contrast, no ¹O₂ was observed by mechanically stressing the conventional photo-sensitizer, rosebengal. The difference in the behavior of C₆₀ and rosebengal is interpreted in terms of molecular deformation, being much easier for a 3D molecule, C₆₀, than a planar molecule, in line with the concept of inverse Jahn-Teller effects.     

Electrochemical formation and properties of two-component films of transition metal complexes and C60 or C70

The electrochemically active polymers have been formed during electro-reduction carried out in solution containing fullerenes, C₆₀ or C₇₀, and transition metal complexes of Pd(II), Pt(II), Rh(III), and Ir(I). In these films, fullerene moieties are covalently bounded to transition metal atoms (Pd and Pt) or their complexes (Rh and Ir) to form a polymeric network. All films exhibit electrochemical activity at negative potentials due to the fullerene cages reduction process. For all studied metal complexes, yields of formation of films containing C₇₀ are higher than yields of electrodeposition of their C₆₀ analogs. C₇₀ /M films also exhibit higher porosity in comparison to C₆₀/M layers. The differences in film morphology and efficiency of polymer formation are responsible for differences in electrochemical responses of these films in acetonitrile containing supporting electrolyte only. C₇₀/M films shows more reversible voltammeric behavior in negative potential range. They also show higher potential range of electrochemical stability. Processes of film formation and electrochemical properties of polymers depend on the transition metal ions or atoms bonding fullerene cages into polymeric network. The highest efficiency of polymerization was observed for fullerene/Pd and fullerene/Rh films. In the case of fullerene/Pd films, the charge transfer processes related to the fullerene moieties reduction in negative potential range exhibit the best reversibility among all of the studied systems. Capacitance performances of C₆₀/Pd and C₇₀/Pd films deposited on the porous Au/quartz electrode were also compared. Capacitance properties of both films are significantly affected by the conditions of electropolymerization. Only a fraction of the film having a direct contact with solution contributes to pseudocapacitance. Capacitance properties of these films also depend on the size of cations of supporting electrolyte. The C₇₀/Pd film exhibits much better capacitance performance comparison to C₆₀/Pd polymer.     

The structure of fullerene films and their metallocene doping

Hexagonal close-packed (HCP) C₆₀ and C₇₀ films have been prepared by the Langmuir method and examined by electron microscopy and electron-diffraction analysis. It has been shown that the vacuum deposition of a C₆₀+C₇₀ mixture results in the formation of a film with small sized grains and a distorted C₆₀-HCP structure. The simultaneous deposition of C₆₀ and ferrocene results in the formation of a film with a changed morphology and an electron-diffraction pattern that contains a variable amount of ferrocene depending on the experimental conditions. The electron-diffraction pattern corresponds to the presence of the known molecular complex C₆₀[(C₅H₅)₂Fe]₂. The analogous simultaneous deposition of fullerene C₆₀ and cobaltocene results in the formation of a C₆₀ film stable in air and water, which contains carbon and cobalt (from the data of X-ray fluorescence, electron microscopy and microdiffraction). It has a different morphology and different diffraction patterns than pure C₆₀ films and, depending on the cobaltocene content (relative to that of fullerene), appears to be a fullerite film doped with various amounts of cobaltocenium fullende, which is an ionic compound.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1379–1383, August, 1994.The work was financially supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Projects 93-03-4676 and 93-03-18368).     

Classical Valence Similarity in Fullerene Derivatives

Summary.  The generalized Pauling bond order was enumerated in the C₆₀ fullerene cage molecule (truncated icosahedral symmetry). This index measures chemical similarity in fullerene derivatives such as dihydrofullerene (C₆₀H₂), anionized monohydrofullerene (C₆₀H⁻), N-substituted monohydrofullerene (C₅₉NH), the fullerene dimer ((C₆₀)₂), and the dianionic fullerene dimer ((C₆₀)₂ ²⁻). It is also useful in judging the chemical stability of isomers. Received October 9, 2001. Accepted November 9, 2001     

Effect of fullerene C<Subscript>60</Subscript> on the structure and mechanical characteristics of polyethylene: Technological aspect

On the basis of the literature data, a retrospective analysis of the thermodynamic characteristics of dissolution of fullerene C₆₀ in a series of single-ring aromatic solvents is presented. The effect of the molecular structure of a solvent on its dissolving capacity with respect to fullerene is studied. The parameter of the boiling temperature of the solvent normalized to its molecular mass is introduced. The correlation of this parameter with the dissolving capacity of the solvent is discussed. Special emphasis is placed on the effect of halogen-containing solvents on the dissolution of fullerene and indirectly on the development of the mechanical characteristics of films prepared from common solutions of fullerene and low-density polyethylene. For comparison, the films prepared from PE melts modified with low concentrations of fullerene are considered. The film structure is studied via X-ray analysis, optical microscopy, AFM, small-angle scattering of linearly polarized light, and DSC. The films with the maximum strength are prepared from solutions in halogen-containing solvents at a concentration of fullerene below 1 wt %. In this case, spherulites are 5–10 times smaller than those in the films cast from solutions in other solvents. In the films cast from common solutions of PE and fullerene in bromobenzene, crystal solvates C₆₀ · 2C₆H₅Br are formed. It seems that the formation of the crystal solvates binds the residual solvent and thus affects the mechanical behavior of the films, thereby eliminating the plasticizing effect of residual bromobenzene. Localization of fullerene in various regions of the supramolecular structure of the films is discussed, and the morphology of the separating regions of the crystal solvate fullerene phase is analyzed.     

Boosting Activation of Oxygen Molecules on C60 Fullerene by Boron Doping

The activation of oxygen molecules on boron‐doped C₆₀ fullerene (C₅₉B) and the subsequent water formation reaction are systematically investigated by using hybrid density functional calculations. Results indicate that C₅₉B shows a favorable ability to activate oxygen molecules both kinetically and thermodynamically. The oxygen molecule is first adsorbed on the boron atom, which is identified to be the most reactive site in C₅₉B for O₂ adsorption because of its high positive charge and spin density. The adsorption structure C₅₉B?O₂ can further isomerize to form two products with small reaction barriers. Water formation reactions upon these two structures are energetically favorable and suggest a four‐electron mechanism for the oxygen reduction reaction catalyzed by C₅₉B. This work provides a reliable theoretical insight into the catalytic properties of boron‐doped fullerene, which is believed to be helpful to explore fullerene catalysts.     

Behavior of octa(benzo-15-crown-5)- and tetrasulfophthalocyanines in the presence of water-soluble C60 compounds

Octa[(4′-benzo-15-crown-5)oxy]phthalocyanine was shown to dissolve in the presence of water-soluble fullerene compounds C₆₀Cl(NHCH₂CH₂NH₃ ⁺)₅(^?OOCCF₃)₅ or C₆₀Cl(C₆H₄CH₂CH₂COONa)₅. The solubilization of phthalocyanine was attributed to the possibility of formation of the hydrogen bonds N-H...O(CH₂) and coordination of the sodium cations inside the cavities of the crown ether fragments for the cationic and anionic fullerene derivatives, respectively. Solubilization of the crown-containing phthalocyanine with participation of water-soluble fullerene compounds proceeded with the formation of aggregated forms. A monomeric form of nickel tetrasulfonated phthalocyaninate in the presence of an equimolar amount of C₆₀Cl(NHCH₂CH₂NH₃ ⁺)₅(^?OOCCF₃)₅ in 50% ethanol is transformed into a dimeric form. The structures of the fullerene-containing compounds and their state in solution facilitate the stacking aggregation of phthalocyanines.     

Electrochemically formed fullerene-based polymeric films

The recent results of investigations involving the electrochemical formation of polymers containing fullerenes and studies of their properties and applications are critically reviewed. From a structural point of view, these polymers can be divided into four main categories including (1) polymers with fullerenes physically incorporated into the foreign polymeric network without forming covalent bonds, (2) fullerene homopolymers formed via [2+2] cycloaddition, (3) “pearl necklace” polymers with fullerenes mutually linked covalently to form polymer chains, and (4) “charm bracelet” polymers containing pendant fullerene substituents. The methods of electrochemical polymerization of these systems are described and assessed. The structural features and properties of the electrochemically prepared polymers and their chemically synthesized analogs are compared. Polymer films containing fullerenes are electroactive in the negative potential range due to electroreduction of the fullerene moieties. Related films made with fullerenes derivatized with electron-donating moieties as building blocks are electroactive in both the negative and positive potential range. These can be regarded as “double cables” as they exhibit both p- and n-doping properties. Fullerene-based polymers may find numerous applications. For instance, they can be used as charge-storage and energy-converting materials for batteries and photoactive units of photovoltaic cell devices, respectively. They can be also used as substrates for electrochemical sensors and biosensors. Films of the C₆₀/Pt and C₆₀/Pd polymers containing metallic nano-particles of platinum and palladium, respectively, effectively catalyze the hydrogenation of olefins and acetylenes. Laser ablation of electrochemically formed C₆₀/M and C₇₀/M polymer films (M=Pt or Ir) results in fragmentation of the fullerenes leading to the formation of hetero-fullerenes, such as [C₅₉M]⁺ and [C₆₉M]⁺.Dedicated to Professor Dr. Alan M. Bond on the occasion of his 60th birthday.     

Preparation and study of hydrides of fullerenes C60 and C70

Fullerene hydrides were prepared by hydrogenation of fullerences C₆₀ and C₇₀ using proton transfer from 9,10-dihydroanthracene to fullerene and were studied by mass spectrometry (electron impact, field desorption), IR, UV, and¹H and¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The main product of the hydrogenation of C₆₀ is C₆₀H₃₆, which is sufficiently stable. Hydrogenation of fullerene C₇₀ gives a series of polyhydrides C₇₀H _n (n=36–46), and the main product is C₇₀H₃₆. The dehydrogenation of C₆₀H₃₆ by 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone is not quantitative and results in the formation of fullerene derivatives along with C₆₀. The comparison of the IR and¹H and¹³C NMR spectral data for solid C₆₀H₃₆ with the theoretical calculations suggests that the fullerene hydride has aT-symmetric structure and contains four isolated benzenoid rings located at tetrahedral positions on the surface of the closed skeleton of the molecule. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya. No. 4, pp. 671–678, April, 1997.     

Production of endohedral 133Xe-fullerene by ion implantation

Ion implantation was applied to the production of endohedral ¹³³Xe-fullerene. Using an isotope separator, ¹³³Xe ions were implanted into a fullerene target of C₆₀ and C₇₀ produced by vacuum evaporation on a Ni backing. An HPLC analysis following dissolution of the fullerene targets in o-dichlorobenzene corroborated the formation of ¹³³Xe@C₆₀ and ¹³³Xe@C₇₀, showing a strong correlation between C₆₀/C₇₀ and ¹³³Xe. The observed tailing following ¹³³Xe peaks in the elution curves suggests a possibility of the isolation of endohedral ¹³³Xe-fullerene from empty fullerene.     

A Peanut‐Shaped Polyaromatic Capsule: Solvent‐Dependent Transformation and Electronic Properties of a Non‐Contacted Fullerene Dimer

Synthesis of molecular containers capable of incorporating multiple fullerenes remains challenging. Reported here is that room‐temperature mixing of metal ions with W‐shaped bispyridine ligands featuring polyaromatic panels results in the quantitative formation of a peanut‐shaped M₂L₄ capsule. The capsule reversibly converts into two molecules of an ML₂ double tube in response to changes in the solvent. Notably, the capsule allows the incorporation of two fullerene molecules into the connected two spherical cavities at room temperature. The close proximity yet non‐contact of the encapsulated C₆₀ molecules, with a separation of 6.4 Å, was revealed by X‐ray crystallographic analysis. The resultant, unusual fullerene dimer undergoes sequential reduction within the capsule to generate (C₆₀^.?)₂, C₆₀^.??C₆₀^2?, and (C₆₀^2?)₂ species. Furthermore, temperature‐controlled stepwise incorporation of two C₆₀ molecules into the capsule is demonstrated.     

Selective reduction of fullerene C60 by metals in neutral and alkaline media. Interaction of C60 with KOH

The reduction of fullerene C₆₀ by Zn and Mg in DMF was studied both in the presence and absence of KOH. Fullerene C₆₀ was reduced in these systems to form the C₆₀ ^n– (n = 1, 2, and 3) anions. The anions were detected by optical and ESR spectroscopies. It was found that Mg reduced C₆₀ to the monoanion, Mg/KOH and Zn reduced C₆₀ to the dianion, and Zn/KOH reduced C₆₀ to the trianion. Like KCN, potassium hydroxide adds to fullerene upon interaction with C₆₀ in DMF. The reaction of C₆₀ with KOH in benzonitrile was accompanied by the generation of the fullerene monoanion. A possible mechanism of the formation of fullerene monoanions in the presence of KOH is discussed. The degradation of the C₆₀ ^n– anions in air was studied.     

Theoretical study of structures and reactivities of the complexes of metals in the zero-valent state with fullerene ligands

Possible reaction routes of dimerization of intermediate fullerene-containing zero-valent metal complexes probably formed by the reduction of the phosphine-containing Co^II and Ni^II complexes in the presence of C₆₀ were analyzed using the density functional theory with the PBE functional. The found energetic effects of the formation of the binuclear complexes with different structures, including those containing the dimer of fullerene C₁₂₀ performing a bridging function, together with the estimated energy barriers to the symmetry-forbidden 2+2 cycloaddition in the coordination sphere are crucial in the understanding of the structures of the observed reaction products.     

Reactions of fullerene C60 with methyl methacrylate radicals: A density functional theory study

We have investigated the stepwise addition of four growing methyl methacrylate (MMA) radicals to C₆₀ fullerene, taking into account all possible types of the formed adducts. This reaction set is a reliable approximation for understanding the MMA polymerization process in the presence of C₆₀ fullerene. We have analyzed the structures of the fullerene-MMA adducts and energy parameters of their formation (heat effects and activation enthalpies). We found that up to three MMA growing radicals are favorably attached to C₆₀ as the fullerene-MMA trisadduct is a stable radical of the allyl type. It is inactive for further radical addition, and the elimination of the hydrogen atom from the growing MMA radical becomes preferable. The effects of steric factors and structures of the products of multiple growing MMA radical additions to C₆₀ on the radical polymerization of MMA in the presence of C₆₀ fullerene are considered.     

Redox Active Two‐Component Films of Palladium and Covalently Linked Zinc Porphyrin–Fullerene Dyad

Redox active films have been generated electrochemically by the reduction of dyads consisting of fullerene C₆₀ covalently linked to zinc meso‐tetraphenyloporphyrin, ZnP? C₆₀, and palladium acetate. The films are believed to consist of a polymeric network formed via covalent bonds between the palladium atoms and the fullerene moieties. In these films, the zinc porphyrin moiety is covalently linked to the polymeric chains through the pyrrolidine ring of the fullerene. The ZnP? C₆₀/Pt films are electrochemically active in both positive and negative potential excursions. At positive potentials, two oxidation steps for the zinc porphyrin are observed. In the negative potential range, electron transfer processes involving the zinc porphyrin and the fullerene entities are observed. Film formation is also accompanied by palladium deposition on the electrode surface. The presence of a metallic phase in the film influences its morphology, structure and electrochemical properties.