Semiempirical molecular dynamics studies of C60/C70 fullerene oxides: C60O, C60O2 and C70O

The spectral analysis indicates that all isomers of C₆₀O, C₇₀O and C₆₀O₂ have an epoxide-like structure (an oxygen atom bridging across a C–C bond). According to the geometrical structure analysis, there are two isomers of fullerene monoxide C₆₀O (the 5,6 bond and the 6,6 bond), eight isomers of fullerene monoxide C₇₀O and eight isomers of fullerene dioxide C₆₀O₂. In order to simulate the real reaction conditions at 300 K, the calculation of the different isomers of C₆₀O, C₆₀O₂ and C₇₀O fullerene oxides was carried out using the semiempirical molecular dynamics method with two different approaches: (a) consideration of the geometries and thermodynamic stabilities, and (b) consideration of the ozonolysis mechanism. According to the semiempirical molecular dynamic calculation analysis, the probable product of this ozonolysis reaction is C₆₀O with oxygen bridging over the 6–6 bond (C_2v). The most probable product in this reaction contains oxygen bridging across in the upper part of C₇₀ (6–6 bond in C₇₀O-2 or C₇₀O-4) an epoxide-like structure. C₆₀O₂-1, C₆₀O₂-3 and C₆₀O₂-5 are the most probable products for the fullerene dioxides. All of these reaction products are consistent with the experimental results. It is confirmed that the calculation results with the semiempirical molecular dynamics method are close to the experimental work. The semiempirical molecular dynamics method can offer both the reaction temperature effect by molecular dynamics and electronic structure, dipole moment by quantum chemistry calculation.     

Selective formation of C60F18(g) and C60F36(g) by reaction of [60]fullerene with molecular fluorine

Fluorination of C₆₀(s), C₆₀(s)-MnF₂(s), C₆₀(s)-NiF₂(s) and C₆₀(s)-MnF₃(s) mixtures has been studied by Knudsen cell mass spectrometry with admission of molecular fluorine. The fluorination is selective when fullerene reacts with the fluorine chemisorbed on the MnF₂ surface. When the MnF₂ content in the initial mixture is at least 90 mol% both C₆₀F₁₈ and C₆₀F₃₆ are selectively formed. Under certain conditions, mixtures predominantly containing one of three compounds C₆₀F₃₈, C₆₀F₄₀, and C₆₀F₄₂ can be obtained. A consecutive change of the main fluorination products (C₆₀F₁₈ and C₆₀F₃₆) takes place at constant temperature (720 K) and on fluorine admission. A quantitative explanation of this fact is given. Selective fluorination of C₆₀(s) by molecular fluorine is compared with solid-phase fluorination using MnF₃(s) as a fluorinating agent.     

High-temperature and photochemical syntheses of C60 and C70 fullerene derivatives with linear perfluoroalkyl chains

New experimental results on perfluoroalkylation of C₆₀ and C₇₀ with the use of R_fI (R_f = CF₃, C₂F₅, n-C₃F₇, n-C₄F₉, and n-C₆F₁₃), along with a critical overview of the existing synthetic methods, are presented. For the selected new fullerene (R_f)_n compounds we report spectroscopic, electrochemical and structural data, including improved crystallographic data for the isomers of C₇₀(C₂F₅)₁₀ and C₆₀(C₂F₅)₁₀, and the first X-ray structural data for the dodecasubstituted perfluoethylated C₇₀ fullerene, C₇₀(C₂F₅)₁₂, which possesses unprecedented addition pattern.     

The hydrogenolysis of C60 and C70

Temperature-programmed reaction (TPR) of C₆₀ and C₇₀ with H₂ was carried out on nickel in order to investigate the thermal stability of the fullerenes in the catalytic hydrogenation. The TPR profiles showed two methanation peaks and the corresponding weight decrease above 420°C, indicating the hydrogenolysis to CH₄. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Catalytic hydrogenation of C60 fullerene

Catalytic hydrogenation of C₆₀ with H₂ or by hydrogen transfer reactions using Pd/SiO₂, Rh/Al₂O₃ and Ru/Al₂O₃ has been studied. The final products containing partially hydrogenated C₆₀ fullerence C₆₀H₄₂–C₆₀H₄₆ were characterized by FTIR, UV and NMR methods.     

Radical scavenging efficiency of different fullerenes C60-C70 and fullerene soot

This investigation was undertaken to determine the antioxidant activity of a range of fullerenes C₆₀ and C₇₀ in order to rank them according to their comparative efficiency. The model reaction of initiated (2,2′- azobisisobutyronitrile, AIBN) cumene oxidation was used to determine rate constants for addition of radicals to fullerenes. Measurements of oxidation rates in the presence of different fullerenes showed that the antioxidant activity as well as the mechanism and mode of inhibition were different for fullerenes C₆₀ and C₇₀ and fullerene soot. All fullerenes - C₆₀ of gold grade, C₆₀/C₇₀ (93/7, mix 1), C₆₀/C₇₀ (80 ± 5/20 ± 5, mix 2) and C₇₀ operated as alkyl radical acceptora, whereas fullerene soot surprisingly retarded the model reaction by a dual mode similar to that for the fullerenes and with an induction period like many of the sterically hindered phenolic and amine antioxidants. For the C₆₀ and C₇₀ the oxidation rates were found to depend linearly on the reciprocal square root of the concentration over a sufficiently wide range thereby fitting the mechanism for the addition of cumylalkyl radicals to the fullerene core. This is consistent with literature data on the more ready and rapid addition of alkyl and alkoxy radicals to the fullerenes compared with peroxy radicals. Rate constants for the addition of cumyl radicals to the fullerenes were determined to be k_(333K) = (1.9 ± 0.2) × 10⁸ (C₆₀); (2.3 ± 0.2) × 10⁸ (C₆₀/C₇₀, mix 1); (2.7 ± 0.2) × 10⁸ (C₆₀/C₇₀, mix 2); (3.0 ± 0.3) × 10⁸ (C₇₀), M⁻¹ s⁻¹. The increasing C₇₀ constituent in the fullerenes leads to a corresponding increase in the rate constant.The fullerene soot inhibits the model reaction according to the mechanism of trapping of peroxy radicals; the oxidation proceeds with a pronounced induction period and kinetic curves are linear in semi-logarithmic coordinates.For the first time the effective concentration of inhibiting centres and inhibition rate constants for the fullerene soot have been determined to be fn[C₆₀−soot] = (2.0 ± 0.1) × 10⁻⁴ mol g⁻¹ and k_inh = (6.5 ± 1.5) × 10³ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ respectively.The kinetic data obtained specify the level of antioxidant activity for the commercial fullerenes and scope for their rational use in different composites. The results may be helpful for designing an optimal profile of composites containing fullerenes.     

Synthesis and molecular structures of heptafluoropropylated fullerenes: C70(n-C3F7)8, C70(n-C3F7)6O, and C70(C3F7)4

Ampoule reactions of C₇₀ with n- and i-C₃F₇I were carried out at 250-310 °C. Two step HPLC separations allowed the isolation of several C₇₀(n-C₃F₇)_4-8 and C₇₀(i-C₃F₇)₄ compounds. Crystal and molecular structures of C₇₀(n-C₃F₇)₈-V, C₇₀(n-C₃F₇)₆O, C₇₀(n-C₃F₇)₄, and three isomers of C₇₀(i-C₃F₇)₄ have been determined by X-ray crystallography using synchrotron radiation. Molecular structures of the new compounds were compared with the known examples and discussed in terms of addition patterns and relative energies of their formation.     

Reaction of C60 with KMnF4 : Isolation and characterization of a new isomer of C60F8 and re-evaluation of the structures of C60F7(CF3) and the known isomer of C60F8

The volatile fluorofullerene products of high-temperature reactions of C₆₀ with the ternary manganese(III, IV) fluorides KMnF₄, KMnF₅, A₂MnF₆ (A⁺ = Li⁺, K⁺, Cs⁺), and K₃MnF₆ were monitored as a function of reaction temperature, reaction time, and stoichiometric ratio by in situ Knudsen-cell mass spectrometry. When combined with fluorofullerene product ratios from larger-scale (bulk) screening reactions with the same reagents, an optimized set of conditions was found that yielded the greatest amount of C₆₀F₈ (KMnF₄/C₆₀ mol ratio 28-30, 470 °C, 4-5 h). Two isomers of C₆₀F₈ were purified by HPLC, one of which has not been previously reported. Quantum chemical calculations at the DFT level combined with 1D and 2D ¹⁹F NMR, FTIR, and FT-Raman spectroscopy indicate that the C₆₀F₈ isomer previously reported to be 1,2,3,8,9,12,15,16-C₆₀F₈ is actually 1,2,3,6,9,12,15,18-C₆₀F₈, making it the first high-temperature fluorofullerene with non-contiguous fluorine atoms. The new isomer, which was found to be 1,2,7,8,9,12,13,14-C₆₀F₈, is predicted to be 5.5 kJ mol⁻¹ more stable than 1,2,3,6,9,12,15,18-C₆₀F₈ at the DFT level. In addition, new DFT calculations and spectroscopic data indicate that the compound previously isolated from the high-temperature reaction of C₆₀ and K₂PtF₆ and reported to be 16-CF₃-1,2,3,8,9,12,15-C₆₀F₇ is actually 18-CF₃-1,2,3,6,8,12,15-C₆₀F₇.     

Reactions of fullerene C60 with organometallic azides

Reactions of fullerene C₆₀ with organometallic azides [Et₂AlN₃, EtAl(N₃)₂ and Bu₃SnN₃] led to novel 1-azido-2-alkylfullerenes. The structures of the products were confirmed by IR, ¹Н and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and MALDI TOF mass spectrometry.     

Molecular Complexes of Fullerenes C60 and C70 with Saturated Amines

New molecular complexes of fullerenes C₆₀ and C₇₀ with leuco crystal violet (LCV, 1-3); leucomalachite green (LMG, 4-6); crystal violet lactone (CVL, 7); N,N,N′,N′-tetrabenzyl-p-phenylenediamine (TBPDA, 8, and 9); N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPDA, 10, and 11); triphenylamine (TPA, 12, and 13); and substituted phenotellurazines (EPTA and TMPTA, 14, and 15) have been synthesized. Crystal structures have been solved for C₆₀ complexes with LMG (5, 6) TBPDA (8), TMPDA (10), and TPA (12). The C₆₀ molecules form closely packed double layers in 5 and 6, hexagonal layers in 10 and quasi-three-dimensional layers in 8 and 12. The substitution of disordered solvent molecules in the complexes with LMG (4, 5) by naphthalene ones results in the ordering of the C₆₀ molecules. According to IR-, UV-visible-NIR and ESR-spectroscopy the complexes have a neutral ground state. The spectra of 1-8, and 10 show intense charge transfer bands in the visible and NIR-range. On photoexcitation by white light (light-induced ESR (LESR) spectroscopy), 1 and 10 were shown to have an excited ionic state. The LESR signals were generated at light energies <2.25 eV indicating that the excited states in the complexes are realized mainly by direct charge transfer from donor to the C₆₀ molecule.     

Electronic spectra and transitions of the fullerene C60

Absorption spectra of C₆₀ have been measured in the ranges (a) 190–700 nm in n-hexane solutions at 300 K, (b) 390–700 nm in n-hexane and in 3-methylpentane solutions at 77 K. 40 vibronic bands were observed. They exhibit a large range of bandwidths and intensities, whose significance is discussed. Assignment of electronic transitions has been carried out using the results of theoretical calculations. Vibronic structures have been analyzed within the framework of theories of electronic transitions of polyatomic molecules applied to the I_h symmetry group. Nine allowed ¹T_1u−¹A_g transitions have been assigned in the 190–410 nm region. Observed and calculated allowed transition energies and oscillator strengths are compared. Detailed vibronic analyses of the 1 ¹T_1u−1 ¹A_g and 2 ¹T_1u−1 ¹A_g transitions illustrate the role of Jahn-Teller couplings. Orbitally forbidden singlet-singlet transitions are observed between 410 and 620 nm. Their vibronic structures were analyzed in terms of concurrent Herzberg-Teller and Jahn-Teller vibronic interactions. The 77 K spectra provided useful information on hot bands and on other aspects of the analyses. Vibronic bands belonging to triplet←singlet transitions were detected between 620 and 700 nm.     

Synthesis and molecular structures of heptafluoroisopropylated fullerenes: C60(i-C3F7)8, C60(i-C3F7)6, and C60(CF3)2(i-C3F7)2

One isomer of C₆₀(i-C₃F₇)₈, three isomers of C₆₀(i-C₃F₇)₆, and the first mixed perfluoroalkylated fullerene, C₆₀(CF₃)₂(i-C₃F₇)₂, have been isolated by HPLC from a mixture prepared by reaction of C₆₀ with heptafluoroisopropyl iodide in a glass ampoule at 260-290 °C. The molecular structures of the four new compounds have been determined by means of X-ray single crystal diffraction partially also by use of synchrotron radiation. Theoretical calculations at the DFT level of theory have been employed to rationalize the energetics of isomers and of C₆₀-R_f binding.     

Selective adsorption from methanol/water mixtures by C60 fullerene nanospheres

Micro-Raman spectroscopy was used to investigate the selective adsorption of methanol/water mixtures on the surface of [60] fullerene nanospheres. C₆₀ molecules were dispersed in methanol/water mixtures with different methanol molar fractions ranging between 1 and 0.5. The Raman active pentagon pinch mode shifted significantly (±4 cm⁻¹) as the mixture composition was changed. The shift in the Raman mode was sinusoidal in nature indicating that methanol then water is adsorbed preferentially on the fullerene surface at different mixture compositions. The observed behavior is attributed to structure forming effects of alcohol/water mixtures and the shape and size effect of fullerene surface.     

H2O@open-cage fullerene C60: control of the encapsulation property and the first mass spectroscopic identification

A novel open-cage C₆₀ derivative (a 19-membered ring orifice), prepared by the sequential cage scission reactions of the ketolactam derivative of C₆₀ with o-phenylenediamine, allows the encapsulation of one water molecule. The resulting endohedral water complexes were confirmed for the first time by mass spectroscopy. The efficiency of the encapsulation was affected by the substituent on the nitrogen atom.     

Complex formation between water-soluble sulfonated calixarenes and C60 fullerene

The inclusion complexes of sulfonated thiacalix[4]arene 1 and calix[6]arene 2 sodium salts with C₆₀ fullerene were investigated by photoluminescence (PL) and quantum-chemical methods. The stoichiometries of calixarene/C₆₀ complexes were found to be 2:1 for 1 and 1:1 for 2. Related quantum-chemical investigations show that C₆₀ fullerene is included in a cavity composed of two half-bowl molecules of 1. The C₆₀ fullerene ball is located deep within the cavity of 2 and the negatively charged sulfonate arms probably inhibit the formation of the bowl-shaped capsule that was observed in the case of 1.     

Surface-enhanced vibrational Raman spectroscopy of C60 and C70 on rough silver surfaces

The observation of the surface-enhanced vibrational Raman spectra of vapor-deposited C₆₀ and C₇₀ on rough silver films is reported. Both near-monolayer and multilayer films of pure C₆₀ and of C₆₀/C₇₀ mixtures are studied. The films are obtained by evaporating fullerene samples at temperatures of 683–875 K in ultra-high vacuum. Mixed fullerene samples were greatly enriched in C₇₀ by making use of the slightly different vapor pressures of the two major components at the low end of this temperature range. The spectra contain all the lines of the normal Raman spectra as well as several additional lines caused by a reduction in the stringency of the normal Raman selection rules. These results demonstrate the potential of this technique for detecting small quantities of fullerenes and obtaining their vibrational spectra.     

DFT studies on endohedral fullerene C@C60: C centers the C60 cage

Structural and electronic properties of C@C₆₀ were studied via Hartree–Fock self-consistent field (SCF) and density functional B3LYP levels of theory with the STO-3G, 6-31G(d) and 6-31G(d, p) basis sets. Both singlet and triplet were considered. The triplet structure with C on the center of the C₆₀ cage was proved to be global minimum on the C@C₆₀ molecular potential energy surface. The calculated HOMO-LUMO gaps as well as the electron affinity (EA) and the ionization potential (IP) were also presented as an indicator of the kinetic stability.