Crystallographic characterization of the structure of the endohedral fullerene [Er2@C82 isomer I] with C(s) cage symmetry and multiple sites for erbium along a band of ten contiguous hexagons

The structure of one of the three previously separated isomers of {Er2@C82} has been determined through a single-crystal X-ray structure determination of the noncovalent adduct, {Er2@C82 Isomer I}.{CoII(OEP)}.1.4(C6H6).0.3(CHCl3). The C82 cage is identified specificlly as the Cs(82:6) isomer (one of nine possible isolated pentagon isomers) from the crystallographic data. The carbon atoms of the C82 cage were individually identified and refined with only a constraint that required the two halves of the cage to possess similar bond lengths. Although the carbon cage is well ordered at 113 K, the erbium atoms are disordered. The electron density within the cage of {Er2@C82 Isomer I} has been modeled with two major sites with occupancies of 0.35 and 21 other individual erbium sites with occupancies ranging from 0.138 to 0.011. These erbium sites all reside near the walls of the fullerence and cluster near a band of ten contiguous hexagons that encircles the carbon cage. Since two other isomers of C82 (C3v(82:8) and C2v(82:9)) have a similar band of ten contiguous hexagons, it is tempting to speculate that the other two known isomers of {Er2@C82} have these cage structures.     

13C NMR spectroscopic study of scandium dimetallofullerene, Sc2@C84 vs. Sc2C2@C82

Although Sc2C84 has been widely believed to have the form Sc2@C84, the present 13C NMR study reveals that it is a scandium carbide metallofullerene, Sc2C2@C82, which has a C82(C(3v)) cage.     

Sc2@C3v(8)-C82 vs. Sc2C2@C3v(8)-C82: drastic effect of C2 capture on the redox properties of scandium metallofullerenes

We describe the first example of scandium dimetallofullerenes, Sc(2)@C(3v)(8)-C(82), which has the same cage as the previously assigned scandium carbide cluster fullerene Sc(2)C(2)@C(3v)(8)-C(82) but they exhibit distinctly different electronic configurations and electronic behaviours, confirming the drastic influence of the internal C(2) unit.     

Structural elucidation and regioselective functionalization of an unexplored carbide cluster metallofullerene Sc2C2@C(s)(6)-C82

A Sc(2)C(84) isomer, previously assumed to be Sc(2)@C(84), is unambiguously identified as a new carbide cluster metallofullerene Sc(2)C(2)@C(s)(6)-C(82) using both NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The (13)C-nuclei signal of the internal C(2)-unit was observed at 244.4 ppm with a 15% (13)C-enriched sample. Temperature-dependent dynamic motion of the internal Sc(2)C(2) cluster is also revealed with NMR spectrometry. Moreover, the chemical property of Sc(2)C(2)@C(s)(6)-C(82) is investigated for the first time using 3-triphenylmethyl-5-oxazolidinone (1) which provides a 1,3-dipolar reagent under heating. Regarding the low cage symmetry of this endohedral which contains 44 types of nonequivalent cage carbons, it is surprising to find that only one monoadduct isomer is formed in the reaction. Single-crystal X-ray results of the isolated pyrrolidino derivative Sc(2)C(2)@C(s)(6)-C(82)N(CH(2))(2)Trt (2) reveal that the addition takes place at a [6,6]-bond junction, which is far from either of the two Sc atoms. Such a highly regioselective addition pattern can be reasonably interpreted by analyzing the frontier molecular orbitals of the endohedral. Electronic and electrochemical investigations reveal that adduct 2 has a larger highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO-LUMO) gap than pristine Sc(2)C(2)@C(s)(6)-C(82); accordingly, it is more stable.     

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.     

Sc2C2@C80 rather than Sc2@C82: templated formation of unexpected C2v(5)-C80 and temperature-dependent dynamic motion of internal Sc2C2 cluster

Unambiguous X-ray crystallographic results of the carbene adduct of Sc(2)C(82) reveal a new carbide cluster metallofullerene with the unexpected C(2v)(5)-C(80) cage, that is, Sc(2)C(2)@C(2v)(5)-C(80). More interestingly, DFT calculations and NMR results disclose that the dynamic motion of the internal Sc(2)C(2) cluster depends strongly on temperature. At 293 K, the cluster is fixed inside the cage with two nonequivalent Sc atoms on the mirror plane, thereby leading to C(s) symmetry of the whole molecule. However, when the temperature increases to 413 K, the (13)C and (45)Sc NMR spectra show that the cluster rotates rapidly inside the C(2v)(5)-C(80) cage, featuring two equivalent Sc atoms and weaker metal-cage interactions.     

La2@C72 and Sc2@C72: computational characterizations

The La2@C72 and Sc2@C72 metallofullerenes have been characterized by systematic density functional computations. On the basis of the most stable geometry of 39 C72 hexaanions and the computed energies of the best endofullerene candidates, the experimentally isolated La2@C72 species was assigned the structure coded #10611. The good agreement between the computed and the experimental 13C chemical shifts for La2@C72 further supports the literature assignment (Kato, H.; Taninaka, A.; Sugai, T.; Shinohara, H. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2003, 125, 7782). The geometry, IR vibrational frequencies, and 13C chemical shifts of Sc2@C72 were predicted to assist its future experimental characterization.     

Sc2@C70 rather than Sc2C2@C68: density functional theory characterization of metallofullerene Sc2C70

Detailed study on Sc(2)C(70) series has been performed based on fully screening for C(70) tetra- and hexa- anions. With a combined methodology of quantum chemistry and statistical mechanics, our calculation results reveal that the Sc(2)C(70), which was proposed as the first metal-carbide endohedral metallofullerene with a non-isolated pentagon rule (non-IPR) cage (Sc(2)C(2)@C(68):6073_C(2v)), is in fact a C(70) non-IPR metallofullerene structure (Sc(2)@C(70):7854_C(2v)) with three pair of pentagon adjacency thanks to its significant thermodynamic and kinetic stability. According to the natural bond analysis and orbital interaction diagram, each scandium atom should only transfer two 4s electrons to the carbon cages and the valence state of Sc(2)@C(70) is (Sc(2+))(2)@C(70) (4-). In addition, the simulation of UV-Vis-NIR spectrum for Sc(2)@C(70):7854_C(2v) shows good accordance to the experimental spectrum.     

Isolation, characterization, and theoretical study of La2@C78

A new metallofullerene, La2@C78, has been synthesized by DC arc discharge method, isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography, and characterized by laser desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry, UV-vis-NIR absorption, differential pulse voltammetry, 13C NMR spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations. The La2@C78/CS2 solution is dark violet and presents several characteristic absorption features at 647, 561, 533, and 386 nm, with an onset around 1000 nm. With respect to empty D3-C78, the capability of La2@C78 as an electron acceptor or donor is stronger. Addition of 1,1,2,2-tetrakis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-1,2-disirane to La2@C78 photochemically, as well as thermally, affords bis- and mono-adducts. Theoretical studies and 13C NMR spectroscopic analysis of La2@C78 indicate that it possesses a D3h-C78 cage (78:5).     

Understanding the stabilization of metal carbide endohedral fullerenes m(2)c(2)@c(82) and related systems

We analyze the electronic structure of carbide endohedral metallofullerenes of the type Sc(2)C(2)@C(82) and study the possibility of rotation of the encapsulated Sc(2)C(2) moiety in the interior of the cage. Moreover, we rationalize the higher abundance of M(2)C(2)@C(82) (M = Sc, Y) in which the metal-carbide cluster is encapsulated in the C(3v)-C(82):8 carbon cage with respect to other carbides of the same family on the basis of the formal transfer of four electrons from the cluster to the cage and sizeable (LUMO-3)-(LUMO-2) gap in the empty cages. This rule also applies to all those endohedral metallofullerenes in which the encapsulated cluster transfers four electrons to the carbon cage as, for example, the reduced [M@C(82)](-) systems (M = group 3 or lanthanide metal ion).     

Tunable charge-transport properties of I(h)-C80 endohedral metallofullerenes: investigation of La2@C80, Sc3N@C80, and Sc3C2@C80

Fullerene crystals or films have drawn much interest because they are good candidates for use in the construction of electronic devices. The results of theoretical calculations revealed that the conductivity properties of I(h)-C(80) endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs) vary depending on the encapsulated metal species. We experimentally investigated the solid-state structures and charge-carrier mobilities of I(h)-C(80) EMFs La(2)@C(80), Sc(3)N@C(80), and Sc(3)C(2)@C(80). The thin film of Sc(3)C(2)@C(80) exhibits a high electron mobility μ = 0.13 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) under normal temperature and atmospheric pressure, as determined using flash-photolysis time-resolved microwave conductivity measurements. This electron mobility is 2 orders of magnitude higher than the mobility of La(2)@C(80) or Sc(3)N@C(80).     

Demonstration of a chemical transformation inside a fullerene. The reversible conversion of the allotropes of H2@C60

The interconversion of the two allotropes of the hydrogen molecule (para-H2 and ortho-H2) incarcerated inside the fullerene C60 is reported (oH2@C60 and pH2@C60, respectively). For conversion, oH2@C60 was adsorbed at the external surface of the zeolite NaY and immersed into liquid oxygen at 77 K. Equilibrium was reached in less than 0.5 h. Rapid removal of oxygen provides a sample of enriched pH2@C60 that is stable for many days in the absence of paramagnetic catalysts (half-life approximately 15 days). Enriched pH2@C60 is nonvolatile and soluble in organic solvents. At room temperature in the presence of a paramagnetic catalyst (dissolved O2 or the nitroxide Tempo) a slow back conversion into oH2@C60 was observed by 1H NMR. A bimolecular rate constant for conversion of pH2@C60 to oH2@C60 using Tempo of kTempo approximately 4 x 10-5 M-1 s-1 was observed, which is approximately 3 orders of magnitudes slower than that for dissolved pH2 in organic solvents which is not protected by the C60 shell.     

Structural determination of metallofullerene Sc3C82 revisited: a surprising finding

We report here the structural determination of the Sc3C82 molecule by 13C NMR spectroscopy and X-ray single-crystal structure analysis. From the present study, it is obvious that the structure of Sc3C82 is not Sc3@C82 but Sc3C2@C80.     

X-ray structures of Sc2C2@C2n (n = 40-42): in-depth understanding of the core-shell interplay in carbide cluster metallofullerenes

X-ray analyses of the cocrystals of a series of carbide cluster metallofullerenes Sc(2)C(2)@C(2n) (n = 40-42) with cobalt(II) octaethylporphyrin present new insights into the molecular structures and cluster-cage interactions of these less-explored species. Along with the unambiguous identification of the cage structures for the three isomers of Sc(2)C(2)@C(2v)(5)-C(80), Sc(2)C(2)@C(3v)(8)-C(82), and Sc(2)C(2)@D(2d)(23)-C(84), a clear correlation between the cluster strain and cage size is observed in this series: Sc-Sc distances and dihedral angles of the bent cluster increase along with cage expansion, indicating that the bending strain within the cluster makes it pursue a planar structure to the greatest degree possible. However, the C-C distances within Sc(2)C(2) remain unchanged when the cage expands, perhaps because of the unusual bent structure of the cluster, preventing contact between the cage and the C(2) unit. Moreover, analyses revealed that larger cages provide more space for the cluster to rotate. The preferential formation of cluster endohedral metallofullerenes for scandium might be associated with its small ionic radius and the strong coordination ability as well.     

Structure of a missing-caged metallofullerene: La2@C72

The La2@C72 metallofullerene having the so-called "missing" C72 fullerene cage was structurally elucidated by using 13C NMR and 139La NMR spectroscopy. The obtained structure of La2@C72 does not satisfy fullerene's structural golden rule, that is, the isolated-pentagon rule. The structure is consistent with a non-IPR D2-C72 (#10611) cage structure where each La atom is situated close to one of the two-fused pentagons.     

Regioselective bis-functionalization of endohedral dimetallofullerene, La2@C80: extremal La-La distance

Bis-functionalization of endohedral metallofullerene La(2)@C(80) by carbene addition is reported herein. Adducts were characterized using spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray structure analyses. Crystallographic data for bisadduct La(2)@C(80)(CClPh)Ad (3, Ad = adamantylidene) revealed that both carbene additions occur at the 6,6-bond junction on the C(80) cage with ring cleavages and that La atoms are positioned collinearly with spiro carbons. It is noteworthy that the La-La distance in 3 is highly elongated by carbene bis-functionalization compared to the distance in pristine La(2)@C(80) and reported functionalized derivatives. The metal positions were confirmed through density functional calculations.     

NiCo_2O_4@C纳米复合材料的水热合成及电化学储锂性能

采用一步水热法合成了棒状NiCo_2O_4前驱体,并通过调节水热反应过程中碳源(葡萄糖)的加入量以及后续热处理条件(气氛、温度)得到了一系列不同的NiCo_2O_4及NiCo_2O_4@C产物,并对这些产物的结构、形貌及电化学储锂性能进行了测试.结果表明,适当的葡萄糖加入量(0.5 g)配合合理的煅烧条件(400℃,氮气气氛)可以获得倍率性能和循环稳定性兼具的NiCo_2O_4@C纳米复合材料.在100 m A/g的电流密度下,该材料的首次充/放电比容量为634.1/767.2 m A·h/g,对应的库仑效率为82.7%,5周后的放电比容量为650.1 m A·h/g,容量保持率为84.74%,且在300 m A/g的高电流密度下可逆比容量仍可保持在225.9m A·h/g.     

Nuclear relaxation of H2 and H2@C60 in organic solvents

The 1H nuclear spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) of H2 and H2@C60 in organic solvents varies with solvent, and it varies proportionally for H2 and for H2@C60. Since intermolecular magnetic interactions are ruled out, the solvent must influence the modulating processes of the relaxation mechanisms of H2 both in the solvent cage and inside C60. The temperature dependence of T1 also is very similar for H2 and H2@C60, T1 going through a maximum by varying the temperature in solvents which allow a wide range of temperatures to be explored. This behavior is attributed to the presence of dipolar and spin-rotation mechanisms which have an opposite dependence on temperature.     

Paramagnet enhanced nuclear relaxation of H2 in organic solvents and in H2@C60

We have measured the bimolecular contribution (relaxivity) R1 (M(-1) s(-1)) to the spin-lattice relaxation rate for the protons of H2 and H2@C60 dissolved in organic solvents in the presence of paramagnet nitroxide radicals. It is found that the relaxation effect of the paramagnets is enhanced 5-fold in H2@C60 compared to H2 under the same conditions. 13C relaxivity in C60 induced by nitroxide has also been measured. The resulting value of R1 for 13C is substantially smaller relative to the 1H relaxation in H2@C60 than expected solely on the basis of the smaller magnetic moment of 13C. The observed values of R1 have been analyzed quantitatively using an outer-sphere model for bimolecular spin relaxation to extract an encounter distance, d, as the dependent variable. The resulting values of d for H2 and (13)C60 are similar to the sum of the van der Waals radii for the radical and the corresponding molecule. The value of d for (1)H2@C60 is substantially smaller than the corresponding van der Waals estimates, corresponding to larger than expected values of R1. A possible explanation for the enhanced relaxivity is a contribution from hyperfine coupling. Based on the results reported here, it seems that not only is the hydrogen molecule in H2@C60 not insulated from magnetic contact with the outside world but also the interaction with paramagnets is even stronger than expected based on distance alone.     

高温高压法提取金属富勒烯Lnm@C2nLn=Y, Gd, Tb)

笼内金属富勒烯以其独特的结构性质和潜在的应用价值而引起了人们极大的注意 [1～ 3] ,但因制备技术复杂、产率低以及将其从伴生的空心富勒烯中分离出来比较困难而使其研究受到很大的限制 .笼内金属富勒烯的分离提取始终是金属富勒烯研究的一个重要分支 .通常的方法是将放电得到的烟炱采用甲苯索氏提取的方法粗提 ,然后用高压液相色谱法分离得到纯品 ,笼内金属富勒烯的产率仅为烟炱的 0 .1 % [4～ 6] .我们改进了常规的提取方法 ,建立了一种新的提取方法—高温高压提取法 .具体的做法是采用甲苯索氏提取法从烟炱中提取出空心富勒烯和少量金…