NMR Properties of Polylithiated C60

Endohedral, ¹³C, ⁷Li, and nucleus‐independent (NICS) chemical shifts are reported for selected Li_nC₆₀ isomers (n = 6, 12, 18) at the GIAO (gauge‐including atomic orbitals)‐SCF/DZP//BP86/3–21G level. Li₆C₆₀ closely resembles C₆₀^6– in terms of NMR criteria for aromaticity, as evidenced by an exceptionally high endohedral shielding. In contrast, nonaromaticity is indicated for Li₁₂C₆₀, based on a positive endohedral chemical shift. NICS and δ(endo) values very similar to those of Li₁₂C₆₀ are obtained for Li₁₈C₆₀. According to population analysis, indeed the same number of electrons are transferred to the fullerene cage in both cases. Endohedral chemical shifts, accessible via ³He NMR of the corresponding endohedral helium compounds, could thus be a valuable indicator for the extent of reduction of the C₆₀ molecule. Energetic estimates suggest that in the bulk, Li₁₂C₆₀ should be unstable with respect to decomposition into Li₆C₆₀ and lithium metal.