Self-assembling of fullerene C<Subscript>60</Subscript> into (C<Subscript>60</Subscript>)<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript> clasters in aromatic solvents

Self-assembling of fullerene C₆₀ into (C₆₀) _n clusters in aromatic solvents was studied. The role of the π-π interactions and dispersion forces in the (C₆₀) _n cluster formation in these media is demonstrated using the data on the solubility of fullerene C₆₀ in these solvents and their ionization potentials and also spectral characteristics of fullerene C₆₀ in the range of 326–340 nm in different solvents.     

UV spectroscopy of monosubstituted derivatives of 1,2-dihydro-C60-fullerenes

UV spectroscopy is used to determine the molar absorption coefficients of C₆₀ fullerene and monosubstituted 1,2-dihydro-C₆₀-fullerenes in different solvents. It is found that the extinction coefficient of C₆₀ at 330 nm (the main absorption band most frequently used for qualitative and quantitative determination of the C₆₀ content) is independent of the nature of the solvent and is ～54400 M^?1·cm^?1. The molar absorption coefficients of a series of monosubstituted 1,2-dihydro-C₆₀-fullerenes are practically independent of the chemical structure and the length of the substituent and are 35700 M^?1·cm^?1 (λ ～ 328 nm) and 115250 M^?1·cm^?1 (λ ～ 257 nm). It is shown that the substitution in fullerene proceeds via the double 6,6 bond, as evidenced by the absorption band at 424 nm in the spectra of these compounds, which is characteristic of monosubstituted methanofullerenes.     

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.     

Thermodynamic properties of solutions of fullerene C<Subscript>60</Subscript> in mixtures of tetraline with carbon tetrachloride and 1,2-dichlorobenzene

The solubility of fullerene C₆₀ in tetraline-carbon tetrachloride and tetraline-1,2-dichlorobenzene systems in all compositions of the mixed solvent are measured in the temperature range of 298.15–338.15 K. It is found that in a mixture of tetraline with 1,2-dichlorobenzene, the solubility of C₆₀ is considerably higher than in its pure components; in this case, solubility has a maximum in the range of lower temperatures and compositions of the mixture X _trl = 0.3–0.5. It is established that C₆₀ forms crystal solvates with components of the mixed solvents. Enthalpies and temperatures of incongruent melting of the crystal solvates are determined by differential scanning calorimetry.     

Thermodynamic properties of fullerene C60 solutions in a mixture of tetrachloromethane and toluene

The solubility of fullerene C₆₀ in the tetrachloromethane-toluene system is measured over the entire range of compositions of the mixed solvent in the temperature range 298.15–338.15 K. An equation is proposed for describing the solubility of C₆₀ as a function of the temperature and the composition of the mixed solvent. The equation is used for calculating the thermodynamic characteristics of solution of the fullerene. It is found that, in the investigated C₆₀-CCl₄/C₆H₅CH₃ system, two types of solid solvates of the fullerene with the solvent are formed. The enthalpies and temperatures of incongruent melting of the crystalline solvates are determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The thermodynamic characteristics of solution and solvation of C₆₀ in CCl₄ and C₆H₅CH₃ are obtained. It is shown that the entropy factor plays a decisive role in the temperature dependence of the Gibbs energy of solvation of the fullerene.     

Estimation of the Gibbs energy of C60 fullerene solution in organic solvents based on the additive group method

The literature data on the Gibbs energy of C₆₀ fullerene dissolution in organic solvents of different classes are analyzed. The contributions of the functional groups (-CH₃,-CH₂-, >CH-, >C<,-OH,-Ph,-Napht, etc.) of solvent molecules to the Gibbs energy of C₆₀ fullerene solution were calculated based on the additive group model. The effects of different functional groups on the solution process are discussed.     

A 2:1 Receptor/C60 Complex as a Nanosized Universal Joint

Buckycatcher II, a C₅₁H₂₄ hydrocarbon with two corannulene pincers on a dibenzonorbornadiene tether, exhibits an affinity toward C₆₀ in organic solvents that is dramatically higher than the original buckycatcher C₆₀H₂₈ and other corannulene‐based molecular receptors for fullerenes. In addition to the formation of an usual 1:1 C₆₀@catcher inclusion complex, a trimeric C₆₀@(catcher)₂ assembly is detected in solutions and in the solid state. X‐ray structure determination reveals a remarkable “universal joint” solvent‐free crystal arrangement of the trimer, with a single fullerene cage wrapped by four corannulene subunits of two cooperating catcher receptors.     

Effect of C<Subscript>60</Subscript> fullerene on the boiling point of its solutions in some aromatic solvents

Concentration dependences of the boiling points T _b ^exp of C₆₀ fullerene solutions in four aromatic solvents were determined. For benzene and p-xylene, processing of the increasing dependence in terms of the Raoult law enabled estimation of the cooperativity parameters of the interaction between fullerene and solvent molecules.     

Structure‐Dependent Photoinduced Electron Transfer in Fullerodendrimers with Light‐Harvesting Oligophenylenevinylene Terminals

Oligophenylenevinylene (OPV)‐terminated phenylenevinylene dendrons G1 – G4 with one, two, four, and eight “side‐arms”, respectively, were prepared and attached to C₆₀ by a 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides generated in situ from dendritic aldehydes and N‐methylglycine. The relative electronic absorption of the OPV moiety increases progressively along the fullerodendrimer family C₆₀G1 – C₆₀G4 , reaching a 99:1 ratio for C₆₀G4 (antenna effect). UV/Vis and near‐IR luminescence and transient absorption spectroscopy was used to elucidate photoinduced energy and electron transfer in C₆₀G1 – C₆₀G4 as a function of OPV moiety size and solvent polarity (toluene, dichloromethane, benzonitrile), taking into account the fact that the free‐energy change for electron transfer is the same along the series owing to the invariability of the donor–acceptor couple. Regardless of solvent, all the fullerodendrimers exhibit ultrafast OPV→C₆₀ singlet energy transfer. In CH₂Cl₂, the OPV→C₆₀ electron transfer from the lowest fullerene singlet level (¹C₆₀*) is slightly exergonic (ΔG_CS≈0.07 eV), but is observed, to an increasing extent, only in the largest systems C₆₀G2 – C₆₀G4 with lower activation barriers for electron transfer. This effect has been related to a decrease of the reorganization energy upon enlargement of the molecular architecture. Structural factors are also at the origin of an unprecedented OPV→C₆₀ electron transfer observed for C₆₀G3 and C₆₀G4 in apolar toluene, whereas in benzonitrile, electron transfer occurs in all cases. Monitoring of the lowest fullerene triplet state by sensitized singlet oxygen luminescence and transient absorption spectroscopy shows that this level is populated through intersystem crossing and is not involved in photoinduced electron transfer.     

Catalyst free,visible-light promoted photoaddition reactions between C60 and N-trimethylsilylmethyl-substituted tertiary amines for synthesis of aminomethyl-1,2-dihydrofullerenes

An efficient and benign method for the preparation of aminomethyl-substituted fullerenes has been developed. The process, involving catalyst free, visible-light irradiation of 10% EtOH-toluene solutions containing fullerene C₆₀ and N-trimethylsilylmethyl-substituted amines by using a 20 W compact fluorescent lamp, leads to formation of aminomethyl-substituted fullerene adducts in a highly efficient manner. The photoaddition reaction takes place via a pathway initiated by visible light absorption by C₆₀, followed by SET from the amine to the triplet excited state of C₆₀. Ethanol-promoted desilylation of the resulting a minimum radical then generates the corresponding α-amino radical which couples with the C₆₀ radical anion to form the anion precursor of the fullerene adducts. The new approach using visible-light takes place under mild conditions and it does not require the use of photocatalysts. Thus, the method developed in this effort could broadens the range of functionalized fullerene derivatives that can be readily prepared.     

Solvent effect on the kinetics of the free-radical polymerization of styrene in the presence of fullerene C60

The induction period in the kinetic curves of styrene polymerization in the presence of fullerene C₆₀ was found to increase significantly at a solvent (benzene, toluene, ortho-dichlorobenzene, CCl₄) concentration of ≥50 mol %. The free-radical polymerization rates of styrene in the presence of fullerene C₆₀ and solvents, the ratio of chain propagation and termination rate constants k _p /k ₀ ^1/2 , and the stoichiometric inhibition coefficient were determined.     

Self‐Assembled Aggregates and Molecular Bilayer Films of a Double‐Chain Fullerene Lipid: Structure and Electrochemistry

The self‐aggregation behavior of C₆₀ fullerenes that bear two octadecyl chains (lipid 1 ) as well as the structures and electrochemical properties of cast films of 1 are described. We also examined the self‐aggregation behavior in organic solvents of three previously reported compounds: C₆₀ with three each of hexadecyl (lipid 2 ), tetradecyl (lipid 3 ), or dodecyl (lipid 4 ) chains. The fullerene lipids in alcohols spontaneously formed spherical aggregates, whose diameters are related to the alkyl‐chain lengths, concentrations of the fullerene lipids, and the solvent polarity. The morphologies of the aggregates showed temperature dependence. Cast films of 1 formed multimolecular bilayer structures that undergo a phase transition typical of lipid bilayer membranes. The electrochemistry of cast films of 1 on an electrode in aqueous medium exhibits temperature dependence.     

Synthesis,Photophysical and Electrochemical Properties of Amide‐Linked Phthalocyanine‐Fullerene Dyad

A new amide‐linked phthalocyanine‐fullerene dyad ZnPc‐C₆₀ was synthesized and characterized. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of the ZnPc‐C₆₀ dyad were investigated. The fluorescence spectrum and quantum yield in different solvents showed the occurrence of photoinduced electron transfer (PET) from the singlet excited ZnPc to C₆₀, which was further confirmed by nanosecond transient absorption spectra and cyclic voltammetry data. The free energy change for charge separation (ΔG_CS) was estimated to be exothermic with ?0.51 eV, which favored the formation of charge‐separation state. The PET from ZnPc to C₆₀ in ZnPc‐C₆₀ made the dyad exhibit stronger reverse saturable absorption performance compared with C₆₀ and the control sample in the Z‐scan experiments, which indicated the synergistic effect of two active moieties in the dyad.     

Studies of the photoexcited states of the fullerenes, C60 and C70

The spectra of C₆₀ and C₇₀ were examined using low-temperature photoluminescence and quasi-elastic light scattering spectroscopy. A detailed vibronic analysis of the lowest triplet and singlet excited states of C₇₀ is obtained. The lowest triplet state is identified as a ³E₁′ state and the vibronic structure consists primarily of Herzberg-Teller active e₂′ modes. The intensity of the electronic origin is comparable to the vibronically induced intensity and is extraordinarily solvent sensitive. The spectrum of monosubstituted C₆₀ is shown to be qualitatively similar to that of C₆₀ in polar or strongly complexing solvents. The principal effect of solvent interaction or substitution is to induce dipole intensity in the orbitally forbidden electronic origins of the luminescent states of C₆₀ and C₇₀. The Rayleigh scattering of fullerene solutions illustrates that solute aggregation occurs easily and that aggregate nucleation is strongly affected by surfaces in contact with the solution.     

Supramolecular complexation studies of [60]fullerene with calix[4]naphthalenes—a reinvestigation

Estimations of equilibrium or association constant (K_ASSOC) values reported by many other groups for the supramolecular complexation between [60]fullerene (‘C₆₀’) with different macrocyclic hosts, in solvents such as toluene or carbon disulfide, for example, is often conducted by UV-vis absorption and/or ¹H NMR spectroscopy. In this paper, the complexation behaviour of two calix[4]naphthalene hosts with C₆₀ in toluene and carbon disulfide has been re-examined, using both of these methods. An analysis is presented of the data newly obtained, in light of recent advances and understanding published by others of the limitations of, in particular, the absorption spectroscopic methods. The discussion presented is also intended to aid those who may be unfamiliar with the nuances and limitations of the analytic models involving C₆₀ supramolecular complexation. Also presented is a general mechanism for C₆₀ supramolecular complexation studies, which lay the groundwork for further experiments.     

High performance liquid chromatographic–mass spectrometric detection of giant fullerenes

Fullerene-rich soot generated by resistive heating of graphite has been gently extracted with toluene, in order to remove some C₆₀ and C₇₀ compounds, followed by extraction with boiling 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene at 214°C. After filtration and removal of the solvent, the residue was re-dissolved in dichloromethane and characterized by non-aqueous reversed phase liquid chromatography coupled on-line with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry. Several novel fullerenes were detected, including C₇₂, C₈₀, C₈₆, and C₈₈ as well as other fullerenes up to C₁₀₈ and higher. The results indicate that chromatographic separation of large fullerene molecules can be achieved with low boiling point solvents and conventional liquid chromatographic techniques.     

Transition Metal Complexes of a Salen–Fullerene Diad: Redox and Catalytically Active Nanostructures for Delivery of Metals in Nanotubes

A covalently‐linked salen–C₆₀ (H₂L) assembly binds a range of transition metal cations in close proximity to the fullerene cage to give complexes [M(L)] (M=Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pd), [MCl(L)] (M=Cr, Fe) and [V(O)L]. Attaching salen covalently to the C₆₀ cage only marginally slows down metal binding at the salen functionality compared to metal binding to free salen. Coordination of metal cations to salen–C₆₀ introduces to these fullerene derivatives strong absorption bands across the visible spectrum from 400 to 630 nm, the optical features of which are controlled by the nature of the transition metal. The redox properties of the metal–salen–C₆₀ complexes are determined both by the fullerene and by the nature of the transition metal, enabling the generation of a wide range of fullerene‐containing charged species, some of which possess two or more unpaired electrons. The presence of the fullerene cage enhances the affinity of these complexes for carbon nanostructures, such as single‐, double‐ and multiwalled carbon nanotubes and graphitised carbon nanofibres, without detrimental effects on the catalytic activity of the metal centre, as demonstrated in styrene oxidation catalysed by [Cu(L)]. This approach shows promise for applications of salen–C₆₀ complexes in heterogeneous catalysis.     

Morphology Engineering of Fullerene[C70] Microcrystals: From Perfect Cubes,Defective Hoppers to Novel Cruciform-Pillars

Controlled crystallization of fullerene molecules into ordered molecular assemblies is important for their applications. However, the morphology engineering of fullerene[C₇₀] assemblies is challenging, and complicated architectures have rarely been reported due to the low molecular symmetry of C₇₀ molecules, which makes their crystallization difficult to control and the low production yield as well. Herein, with the assistance of solvent intercalation, a general reprecipitation approach is reported to prepare morphologically controllable C₇₀ microcrystals with mesitylene as a good solvent and n-propanol as a poor solvent in one solvent system without replacing specific solvents. A series of C₇₀ microcrystals with high uniformity from perfect cubes and defective hoppers to novel cruciform-pillars are obtained by intentionally tuning C₇₀ concentration and the volume ratio of mesitylene to n-propanol. Among them, novel cruciform-pillar-shaped microcrystals are obtained for the first time by further decreasing the amount of mesitylene in the solvent-intercalated microcrystals. Notably, the C₇₀ concentration is a key parameter for the selective growth of C₇₀ hopper, rather than the volume ratio of mesitylene to n-propanol. Interestingly, the hopper-shaped microcrystals exhibit excellent photoluminescence properties relative to those of cubes and cruciform-pillars owing to the enhanced light absorption, proving their potential applications in optoelectronic devices. This study offers new insights into the morphology-controlled synthesis of other micro/nanostructured organic microcrystals and the fine tuning of photoluminescence properties of organic crystals.     

Interaction of polystyrene and fullerene C<Subscript>60</Subscript> in benzene: Composition and molecular properties of the product

The molecular properties and composition of fullerene-containing polystyrenes prepared through evaporation of solvent from the combined solution of a polymer and C₆₀ in benzene have been studied by viscometry, translational isothermal diffusion, GPC, UV spectroscopy, and electrooptical Kerr effect measurements. With this procedure of C₆₀ introduction into the polymer, a partial depolymerization of the parent polystyrene takes place. It has been shown that the composites contain fullerene in two forms: a smaller part of C₆₀ is bound to macromolecules, while a larger part of C₆₀ is incorporated into the composition of low-molecularmass adducts—the products arising from the interaction of fullerene with fullerene-induced depolymerized polystyrene.     

A fullerene core to probe dendritic shielding effects

Dendrimers with a C₆₀ core have been obtained by cyclization of dendritic bis-malonate derivatives at the carbon sphere. The resulting bis-methanofullerene derivatives have been characterised by electrospray (ES) and/or MALDI-TOF mass spectrometries. UV-VIS absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, and fullerene singlet excited state lifetimes have been determined in solvents of different polarity (toluene, dichloromethane, acetonitrile). These data suggest a tighter core/periphery contact upon increase of solvent polarity and dendrimer size. In all the investigated solvents, the fullerene triplet lifetimes are steadily increased with the dendrimer volume, reflecting lower diffusion rates of O₂ inside the dendrimers along the series. Measurements of quantum yields of singlet oxygen sensitization indicate that longer lived triplet states generate lower amounts of singlet oxygen (¹O₂^∗) in dichloromethane but not in apolar toluene suggesting a tighter contact between the dendritic branches and the fullerene core in CH₂Cl₂. In acetonitrile, the trend in singlet oxygen production is peculiar. Effectively, enhanced singlet oxygen production is monitored for the largest dendrimer. This reflects specific interactions of excited ¹O₂^∗ molecules with the dendritic wedges, as probed by singlet oxygen lifetime measurements, possibly as a consequence of trapping effects.