A computational study of the endohedral fullerene GeH4@C60

The structures, stabilities, and electronic properties of the endohedral fullerene GeH₄@C₆₀ have been systematically studied by using the hybrid DFT-B3PW91 functional in conjunction with 6-31G(d) basis sets. Our calculated results show that the GeH₄ molecule is more compact in the center of the C₆₀ cage and exists in molecular form inside the fullerene. The Zero-Point and BSSE corrected binding energy of GeH₄@C₆₀ is −1.77 eV. The calculated HOMO–LUMO energy gap, the vertical ionization potentials (VIP) and vertical electron affinities (VEA) are similar to that of C₆₀ cage. It is indicated that GeH₄@C₆₀ also seems to be very stable species. Natural population analysis on the GeH₄@C₆₀ reveals that the central GeH₄ only gain −0.06 charges from the C₆₀ cage. Additionally, the vibrational frequencies and active infrared intensities of GeH₄@C₆₀ are also discussed.     

He2@C60: Thoughts of the concept of a molecule and of the concept of a bond in quantum chemistry

We present a broad palette of discussions of the concepts of a molecule and a chemical bond that always lay down behind all computational modeling in quantum chemistry and of the endohedral fullerene He₂@C₆₀ in particular. For this purpose, we offer the definition of quantum chemistry as composed of three ingredients. Each of them is illustrated by its particular concept, either that of a molecule or a bond. The third, computational ingredient is tackled to resolve the bonding manifold of He₂@C₆₀ and to demonstrate that van‐der‐Waals binding of He? He is converted within He₂@C₆₀ into a stronger bond due to that C₆₀ acts as an electronic buffer and [He₂] moiety mimics a fractionally charged . Experimental fingerprints of He₂@C₆₀ are computed. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Regioselective Synthesis,Crystallographic Characterization,and Electrochemical Properties of Pyrazole- and Pyrrole-Ring-Fused Derivatives of Y2@C3v(8)-C82

Chemical modification of endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs) is an efficient strategy to realize their ultimate applications in many fields. Herein, we report the highly regioselective and quantitative mono-formation of pyrazole- and pyrrole-ring-fused derivatives of the prototypical di-EMF Y₂@C_3v(8)-C₈₂, that is, Y₂@C_3v(8)-C₈₂(C₁₃N₂H₁₀) and Y₂@C_3v(8)-C₈₂(C₉NH₁₁), from the respective 1,3-dipolar reactions with either diphenylnitrilimine or N-benzylazomethine ylide, without the formation of any bis- or multi-adducts. Crystallographic results unambiguously reveal that only one [6,6]-bond out of the twenty-five different types of nonequivalent C−C bonds of Y₂@C_3v(8)-C₈₂ is involved in the 1,3-dipolar reactions. Our theoretical results rationalize that the remarkably high regioselectivity and the quantitative formation of mono-adducts are direct results from the anisotropic distribution of π-electron density on the C_3v(8)-C₈₂ cage and the local strain of the cage carbon atoms as well. Interestingly, electrochemical and theoretical studies demonstrate that the reversibility of the redox processes, in particular the reversibility of the reductive processes of Y₂@C_3v(8)-C₈₂, has been markedly altered upon exohedral functionalization, but the oxidative process was less influenced, indicating that the oxidation is mainly influenced by the internal Y₂ cluster, whereas the reduction is primarily associated with the fullerene cage. The pyrazole and pyrrole-fused derivatives may find potential applications as organic photovoltaic materials and biological reagents.     

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).     

First Synthesis and Characterization of CH4@C60

The endohedral fullerene CH₄@C₆₀, in which each C₆₀ fullerene cage encapsulates a single methane molecule, has been synthesized for the first time. Methane is the first organic molecule, as well as the largest, to have been encapsulated in C₆₀ to date. The key orifice contraction step, a photochemical desulfinylation of an open fullerene, was completed, even though it is inhibited by the endohedral molecule. The crystal structure of the nickel(II) octaethylporphyrin/ benzene solvate shows no significant distortion of the carbon cage, relative to the C₆₀ analogue, and shows the methane hydrogens as a shell of electron density around the central carbon, indicative of the quantum nature of the methane. The ¹H spin‐lattice relaxation times (T₁) for endohedral methane are similar to those observed in the gas phase, indicating that methane is freely rotating inside the C₆₀ cage. The synthesis of CH₄@C₆₀ opens a route to endofullerenes incorporating large guest molecules and atoms.     

Coordinative Interactions between Porphyrins and C60, La@C82, and La2@C80

For the first time, a C₆₀ derivative ( 1 ) and two different lanthanum metallofullerene derivatives, La@C₈₂Py ( 2 ) and La₂@C₈₀Py ( 3 ), that feature a pyridyl group as a coordination site for transition‐metal ions have been synthesized and integrated as electron acceptors into coordinative electron‐donor/electron‐acceptor hybrids. Zinc tetraphenylporphyrin ( ZnP ) served as an excited‐state electron donor in this respect. Our investigations, by means of steady‐state and time‐resolved photophysical techniques found that electron transfer governs the excited‐state deactivation in all of these systems, namely 1/ZnP , 2/ZnP , and 3/ZnP , whereas, in the ground state, notable electronic interactions are lacking. Variation of the electron‐accepting fullerene or metallofullerene moieties provides the incentive for fine‐tuning the binding constants, the charge‐separation kinetics, and the charge‐recombination kinetics. To this end, the binding constants, which ranged from log K_assoc=3.94–4.38, are dominated by axial coordination, with minor contributions from the orbital overlap of the curved and planar π systems. The charge‐separation and charge‐recombination kinetics, which are in the order of 10¹⁰ and 10⁸ s^?1, relate to the reduction potential of the fullerene and metallofullerenes, respectively.     

De Novo Design of an Endohedral Heteronuclear Dimetallofullerene (UGd)@C60 with Exceptional Structural and Electronic Properties

Ever since the first synthesis of La@C₈₂ and U@C₂₈, there has been a growing interest in the study of endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs) because of their great potential in various applications. Here we design a novel heteronuclear EMF (U‐Gd)@C₆₀, by using density functional theory (DFT), which shows an encapsulation energy of about ?5.53 eV, comparable to that of U₂@C_60, La₂@C₈₀, and Lu₂@C₇₆. (U‐Gd)@C₆₀ is found to have a surprising twofold, single‐electron U?Gd bond that results from the strong nanoconfinement of the fullerene, dominated by uranium′s 5f and 6d and gadolinium′s 5d atomic orbitals. The ground state shows an 11‐et high spin state, and the net spins distributed on the U‐pole carbons are relatively scattered, while they are highly concentrated on the Gd‐pole carbons. The exceptional electronic characteristics of this novel EMF, containing both uranium and gadolinium atoms encapsulated, might prove useful for future applications in nuclear energy and biomedicine.     

Crystallographic and Theoretical Investigations of Er2@C2 n (2 n=82, 84, 86): Indication of Distance-Dependent Metal–Metal Bonding Nature

Successful isolation and characterization of a series of Er-based dimetallofullerenes present valuable insights into the realm of metal–metal bonding. These species are crystallographically identified as Er₂@C_s(6)-C₈₂, Er₂@C_3v(8)-C₈₂, Er₂@C₁(12)-C₈₄, and Er₂@C_2v(9)-C₈₆, in which the structure of the C₁(12)-C₈₄ cage is unambiguously characterized for the first time by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Interestingly, natural bond orbital analysis demonstrates that the two Er atoms in Er₂@C_s(6)-C₈₂, Er₂@C_3v(8)-C₈₂, and Er₂@C_2v(9)-C₈₆ form a two-electron-two-center Er−Er bond. However, for Er₂@C₁(12)-C₈₄, with the longest Er⋅⋅⋅Er distance, a one-electron-two-center Er−Er bond may exist. Thus, the difference in the Er⋅⋅⋅Er separation indicates distinct metal bonding natures, suggesting a distance-dependent bonding behavior for the internal dimetallic cluster. Additionally, electrochemical studies suggest that Er₂@C_82–86 are good electron donors instead of electron acceptors. Hence, this finding initiates a connection between metal–metal bonding chemistry and fullerene chemistry.     

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.     

Do Carbon Nano-onions Behave as Nanoscopic Faraday Cages? A Comparison of the Reactivity of C60, C240, C60@C240, Li+@C60, Li+@C240, and Li+@C60@C240

From the analysis of the polarizability of carbon nano-onions (CNOs), it was concluded that CNOs behave as near perfect nanoscopic Faraday cages. If CNOs behave as ideal Faraday cages, the reactivity of the C₂₄₀ cage should be the same in Li⁺@C₂₄₀ and Li⁺@C₆₀@C₂₄₀. In this work, the Diels–Alder reaction of cyclopentadiene to the free C₂₄₀ cage and the C₆₀@C₂₄₀ CNO together with their Li⁺-doped counterparts were analyzed using DFT. It was found that in all cases the preferred cycloaddition is on bond [6,6] of type B of C₂₄₀. Encapsulation of Li⁺ results in lower enthalpy barriers due to the decrease of the energy of the LUMO orbital of the C₂₄₀ cage. When the Li⁺ is placed inside the CNO C₆₀@C₂₄₀, the decrease in enthalpy barrier is similar to that of Li⁺@C₂₄₀. However, the location of Li⁺ in Li⁺@C₂₄₀ (off-centered) and Li⁺@C₆₀@C₂₄₀ (centered) is quite different. When Li⁺ was placed in the center of the C₂₄₀ cage in Li⁺@C₂₄₀, the barriers increased significantly. Taking into account this effect, the barriers in Li⁺@C₂₄₀ and Li⁺@C₆₀@C₂₄₀ differ by about 4 kcal mol⁻¹. This result can be attributed to the shielding effect of C₆₀ in Li⁺@C₆₀@C₂₄₀. As a result, we conclude that this CNO does not act as a perfect Faraday cage.     

Pocket and antipocket conformations for the CH4@C84 endohedral fullerene

The endohedral fullerene CH₄@C₈₄ has been studied using density functional theory (DFT) and second‐order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory (MP2). In addition to the structure with a C? H bond of CH₄ in a tetrahedral pocket conformation, we find an alternative minimum, very close in energy (6.3–9.5 kJ/mol higher according to the level of theory), with the methane inverted, which we call the antipocket conformation. Computed IR spectra are reported for CH₄@C₈₄ and also for the reference system CH₄@C₆₀. The calculated vibrational levels, in a harmonic approximation, reveal close‐lying translational, librational, and shell‐vibrational modes. The results are also presented for the isoelectronic species NH@C₆₀. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Synthesis of endohedral di-and monometallofullerenes Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>@C<Subscript>84</Subscript>, Ce<Subscript>2</Subscript>@C<Subscript>78</Subscript>, and M@C<Subscript>82</Subscript> (M = Y,Ce)

Endohedral metallofullerenes Y₂@C₈₄, Ce₂@C₇₈, and M@C₈₂ (M = Y, Ce) were synthesized by the electric arc method and isolated from the soot using extraction with o-dichlorobenzene. Pure (98%) endohedral dimetallofullerenes Y₂@C₈₄ and Ce₂@C₇₈ were isolated for the first time from o-dichlorobenzene extracts using HPLC and characterized by mass spectrometry and spectrophotometry. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 2067–2071, November, 2007.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Theoretical studies of structures and stabilities of endohedral fullerenes X0/n+ @C32 (X = H,Li, Na,K, Be,Mg, Ca,B, Al,C, Si,N, P,n = 1–3)

Based on the D₃ C₃₂ fullerene, the equilibrium geometries, electronic structures, and binding energies of the endohedral fullerenes X^0/n+@C₃₂ (X = H, Li, Na, K, Be, Mg, Ca, B, Al, C, Si, N, P, n = 1–3) have been calculated using the DFT/B3LYP/6‐31G(d) method. The results show that the C₃₂ cages are slightly enlarged due to encapsulation, and the sizes of non‐neutral molecules are smaller than the corresponding neutral ones. Cages containing Li, Na, and Ca and most of the cations, except Na⁺ and K⁺, are energetically favorable. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Metal atoms and clusters in fullerene cages

Fullerenes containing metal atoms and clusters can be formed by the arc-vaporization method. The electronic structure of these metallofullerenes can be probed using magnetic resonance techniques. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of LaC₈₂, YC₈₂, ScC₈₂ and Sc₃C₈₂ have been obtained. Metallofullerenes containing a single metal atom (MC₈₂ with M = La, Y, or Sc), have small hyperfine couplings and g-values close to 2, implying that they can be described as + 3 metal cations within — 3 fullerene radical anion cages. In the La and Y cases, additional EPR active MC₈₂ species have been found. The EPR spectrum of Sc₃C₈₂ shows that the metal atoms are equivalent, suggesting that they may form a triangular molecule. No EPR spectrum is found for Y₂C₈₂ or for Sc₂C_2n species (with 2n = 82,84,86), suggesting that they are diamagnetic. Sc NMR spectra of a solution containing Sc₂C_2n species have been obtained which confirm the diamagnetism of the discandium metallofullerenes.     

Theoretical study of association of acetylene,benzene, and carbonyl molecules “squeezed” inside fullerene cages

The equilibrium geometries, normal mode frequencies, magnetic shielding constants, and energetic characteristics of model endohedral 2(C₂H₂)@C₇₀, (C₄H₄)@C₇₀, 2(C₆H₆)C₈₄, (C₁₂H₁₂)@C₈₄, 6(CO)@C₈₄, and (C₆O₆)@C₈₄ clusters, mimicking the structure and properties of the guest molecules under “ultrahigh” pressures inside the fullerene cages, were calculated at the density functional theory B3LYP/6-31G and B3LYP/6-31G* levels. According to the calculations, all the structures under consideration correspond to local minima of the corresponding potential energy surfaces. The 2(C₂H₂)@C₇₀ isomer with two separated endohedral acetylene molecules turns out to be considerably less favorable than the (C₄H₄)@C₇₀ isomer with endohedral cyclobutadiene. The 2(C₆H₆)C₈₄ isomer with two separated endohedral benzene rings is almost 30 kcal/mol less favorable than the (C₁₂H₁₂)@C₈₄) isomer with distorted endohedral prismane. The 6(CO)@C₈₄ isomer with six separated carbonyl molecules is almost 45 kcal/mol less favorable than the (C₆O₆)@C₈₄ isomer in which the carbonyls are associated to form a more compact cyclic hexamer C₆O₆. The barriers separating the “associated” and “dissociated” (consisting of monomers) isomers are estimated at 10–15 kcal/mol. Calculations show that, in extremely tight endoclusters, the increase in compression and strain energy caused by the repulsion of the electronic shells of guest molecules and wall atoms is accompanied by a sharp energetic stabilization of compact associated isomers (including those poorly stable or unstable in the free state) as compared with the dissociated isomers, on the one hand, and by a sharp decrease in activation barriers, on the other hand. Both factors should favor the realization of association processes unlikely or impossible under common conditions.     

The structure of fullerene C<Subscript>66</Subscript>, which does not obey the rule of isolated pentagons,and endohedral metallofullerene Sc<Subscript>2</Subscript>@C<Subscript>66</Subscript>: Quantum-chemical calculations

The molecular structure of the isomer 4348 (C _2v ) of fullerene C₆₆, which does not obey the rule of isolated pentagons, is analyzed. Data on the distribution of single, double, and delocalized bonds in this molecule were obtained for the first time. Quantum-chemical (DFT) calculations showed that the hypothetical C₆₆ molecule was a biradical, which was the reason for its instability. In metallofullerene Sc₂@C₆₆, the main changes in bond lengths and electron density transfer from scandium atoms to the carbon shell of fullerene occurred in pentalene substructures and conjugated π bond chains.     

Zur elektronischen Struktur von [Y9C4O]I8

On the Electronic Structure of [Y₉C₄O]I₈ The new [Y₉C₄O]I₈ structure exhibits striking similarities with layered structures of the well-known rare-earth metal carbide halides [M₂C]X₂ and [M₂C₂]X₂ (M = rare-earth metal, X = halide) which already have been studied concerning their electronic structures and conductivities. In contrast to the last compounds, [Y₉C₄O]I₈ formally contains one extra electron. This electron appears to be delocalized in various metallic orbitals. The oxygen atoms which are located in the bent sections in the metal double layers as well as the halide double layers in the structure are considered to act as barriers for electronic mobility. Therefore a one-dimensional metallic conductivity is expected to be dominant.