The Solid-State Mechanochemical Reaction of Fullerene C60

The solid-state mechanochemical reaction of fullerene C₆₀ by the use of a high-speed vibration milling technique has been applied to the nucleophilic addition of an organozinc reagent to C₆₀, [4+2] cycloaddition of C₆₀ with condensed aromatic hydrocarbons, 1,3-dipolar addition of C₆₀ with organic azides, and dimerization of C₆₀.     

New Developments on the Photochlorination of C60 and C70 Fullerene and Preparation of Fullerene Derivatives: Polyfluorofullerenes and Polyfullerols.

Improved methods for photochlorination of C₆₀ and C₇₀ are described. The photoproducts fit respectively the average formulae C₆₀ Cl₄₀ and C₇₀ Cl₄₇. It is also shown that these photoproducts can be easily fluorinated by means of KF to give fluorofullerenes.

Polyhydroxyfullerene (fullerol) can be easily produced by the action of a methanolic solution of alkali over C₆₀ Cl₄₀.     

On the Action of Ultraviolet Light on C70 Fullerene

C₇₀ was photopolymerized in solution of CCl₄ under nitrogen flow by an high pressure mercury lamp. The resulting photoproduct was still soluble in common solvents and has been studied by electronic and FT-IR spectroscopy. FT-IR spectroscopy reveals a very peculiar band pattern never reported to date for C₇₀ photoproduct. Since this band pattern is very similar to that of C₆₀ photopolymer, it suggests that C₇₀ photoproduct should have a chemical structure very close to that assigned to C₆₀ photopolymer and piezopolymer.

The role played by CCl₄ in C₇₀ photopolymerization seems to be comparable to that already reported for C₆₀, i.e. it acts as a polymerization promoter.     

He Ion Bombardment of C70 Fullerene: An FT-IR and Raman Study

C₇₀ fullerene films deposited on a silicon substrate have been bombarded with He⁺ ions at 30 keV at room temperature in vacuum. The structural changes undergone by C₇₀ have been followed by both FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy. The results have been compared to the behavior of C₆₀ fullerene and discussed in an astrochemical context. The main conclusion is that C₇₀, contrary to C₆₀, does not form oligomers at low radiation dose but it is directly and gradually degraded to amorphous carbon (carbon black).     

Preparation of Two Novel C60 and C70 Fullerene Pyrrolidine Derivatives

C₆₀ reacted with paraformaldehyde and DL-valine in dry toluene under nitrogen to give a monoadduct. Under the similar conditions,C₇₀ gave a bisadduct. Both products were characterized by FT-IR,UV-Vis,EI-MS and NMR.The studies of the cyclic voltammetry showed that the abilities of donating electron of the products were increased compared to C₆₀ and C₇₀ respectively.     

Solubility of Fullerene C60 and C70 in Toluene, o-Xylene and Carbon Disulfide at Various Temperatures

The solubilities of fullerene C₆₀ and C₇₀ in toluene, o-xylene and carbon disulfide between the melting point and boiling point of the solvents, respectively, have been measured. The temperature dependent solubility of C₆₀ displays anomalous behaviors. A solubility maximum of C₆₀ around 0 °C for toluene and carbon sulfide and around 30 °C for o-xylene was observed. The temperature-dependent solubility of C₇₀ behaves normally for all the three solvents studied.     

Halogen and Interhalogen Reactions with [60]Fullerene: Preparation and Characterization of C60C24 and C60C18F14

U.V. irradiation of a solution of [60]fullerene in carbon tetrachloride saturated with chlorine gave a yellow solid, the negative ion FAB mass spectrum of which is consistent with the presence of C₆₀Cl₂₄ When a solution of [60]fullerene in CCl₄was mixed with IF₅, a yellow solid was deposited in the denser IF₅ layer. The negative ion FAB mass spectrum of this material indicated it to be C₆₀C₁₈F₁₄ This result provides the first confirmation that halogenation of Merenes is a radical process. Fluorination of C₆₀Br₈ gave a range of fluorinated products, having a maximum fluorine content of ca. 36 fluorines per cage, and with either C₆₀F₁₈ or its mono-oxide as major species. EI mass spectrometry of the products at various temperatures indicates that the more highly fluorinated fiiilerenes are either less stable to heat, or are more volatile.     

Preparation, Separation and Characterisation of Fullerene - C60 and C70

This paper reports a simple apparatus for the synthesis of fullerenes and an efficient method for the separation of C₆₀ and C₇₀ in large amounts. The positive and negative ion mass spectra of C₆₀ and C₇₀ were measured using electron ionization and in-beam methods. Vibrational Raman spectra showed that the C₆₀ molecule adsorbed on the substrate surface may be distorted and its symmetry may be reduced under the action of the substrate surface.     

Structural Analogies and Differences Between Graphite Oxide and C60 and C70 Polymeric Oxides (Fullerene Ozopolymers)

A brief survey of the chemical structural analogies and differences between graphite oxide and fullerene ozopolymers or polymeric fullerene oxides (PFO) is presented. Graphite oxide is the product of oxidation of graphite prepared with strong oxidizing agents while PFO is the products formed by prolonged ozonation of C₆₀ or C₇₀ in solution. Notwithstanding the different starting substrates and oxidation conditions, elemental analyses, FT-IR spectroscopy and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy suggest a very similar chemical structure for graphite oxide and PFO. A further analogy is the possibility to perform reduction or oxidation reactions on both substrates considered. Graphite oxide and PFO have also in common the ability to act as ion exchangers and as metal ion binders. Even the thermal behavior is comparable. However, X-ray powder diffraction has confirmed that graphite oxide still has a layered structure derived from graphite but with the graphene sheets at much bigger distance from each other due to the intercalation of oxidized groups and solvent molecules, while PFO do not show at all any sign of layered structure either from the X-ray spectra and also by its behavior in solution which is strikingly different from that shown by graphite oxide.     

UNSTABLE PRODUCTS FROM THE OZONATION OF C60 IN SOLVENTS

The ozonation of a solution of C₆₀ in toluene results in the formation of several unstable compounds C₆₀X and C₆₀Y[1-5] which decay completely at room temperature within about 1 h. The products are oxides C₆₀O[6,6], C₆₀O₂[I], C₆₀O₂[II], and possibly an isomer of C₆₀O₃. The transformations are not due to oxidation by atmospheric oxygen but are spontaneous. The ozonation of a solution of C₆₀O[6,6] in toluene results in the formation of two unstable compounds C₆₀Z[1-2] which also decay completely to C₆₀O₂[I] and C₆₀O₂[II]. It is suggested that all unstable “parents” are ozonides.     

Pyrolytic Trifluoromethylation of [76]-, [78]-, [84]-, and Aza[60]Fullerenes with Silver Trifluoroacetate; Evidence for Coordination of Fullerenes to Silver

Pyrolytic trifluoromethylation of [76], [78], [84], and aza[60]fullerenes with silver trifluoroacetate at 300°C results in extensive polyaddition of up to 18, 18, 20 and 20 CF₃ groups, respectively. In contrast to trifluoromethylation of [60]- and [70]fullerenes that give a full range of derivatives ranging upwards from C_n(CF₃)₂, [76]-, [78]-, and [84]-fullerenes only give C_n(CF₃)_6-18 derivatives, largely in the 10-12 CF₃ range; reaction with [76]fullerene is accompanied by formation of C₆₀(CF₃)₆ attributed to cage fragmentation. For aza[60]fullerene the hexa-addition level dominates, in contrast to its other reactions which give predominantly penta-addition products. All the compounds showed peaks at 1256±2 and 1180-1190 cm^-1, due to the CF₃ group, and peaks in this region are shown also by the soluble extract obtained on trifluoromethylation of nanotubes. As in trifluoromethylation of [60]- and [70]-fullerenes, the products obtained initially are involatile, attributed to formation os silver complexes; these are decomposed on subsequent solution in toluene. Mixed isomeric trifluoromethylated C₆₀F₈ derivatives viz. C₆₀F₇CF₃, C₆₀F₆(FG₃)₂, C₆₀F₅(CF₃)₃ and C₆₀F₄(CF₃)₄, and C₆₀F₄CF₃CF₂CF₃ (a C₆₀F₆ derivative) have been isolated from fluorination of [60]fullerene with MnF₃/K₂NilF₆ at 510°C.     

Fullerane, the Hydrogenated C60 Fullerene: Properties and Astrochemical Considerations

Hydrogenated C₆₀ fullerene, C₆₀H₃₆ was prepared in different solvents using Zn/HCl as reducing agents. The structure of C₆₀H₃₆ was confirmed both by electronic and FT-IR spectroscopy and the purity of the reaction product was checked by HPLC analysis. It has been confirmed that C₆₀H₃₆ is not stable in air, especially in presence of light which enhances the oxidation. The oxidation of C₆₀H₃₆ was studied by FT-IR spectroscopy and by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in air; the formation of hydroxyl groups on the fullerene cage and ketonic groups (involving cage breakdown) have been detected. Furthermore, the action of O₃ on C₆₀H₃₆ was investigated and it has been found that O₃ exerts practically the same effect of air but causing an enhanced cage breakdown. The thermal stability of C₆₀H₃₆ was checked by a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) coupled with a differential thermal analysis (DTA) under N₂ flow. The vaporization of C₆₀H₃₆ occurs at very high temperature: the DTA trace has shown an endothermic peak at 540°C (at a heating rate of 20°C/min). C₆₀H₃₆ shows an electronic absorption spectrum with a maximum at about 217 nm and it is able to match both in position and in half width the peak at 217.5 nm observed in the spectrum of the interstellar extinction of light which was attributed to hydrogenated, radiation processed and thermally annealed carbon dust. Similarly, the absorption spectrum of C₆₀H₃₆ is able to match several infrared emission bands (called UIBs) detected from certain astrophysical objects like the protoplanetary nebulae (PPNe). It is proposed that hydrogenated fullerenes can be used as model compounds in the laboratory simulation studies of interstellar carbon dust.     

Arylation of [60]Fullerene with Br2/FeCl3/PhH: Formation of C58 Derivatives via CO Loss

Heating a mixture of [60]fullerene, bromine, ferric chloride and benzene under reflux for 24 h products a range of phenylated [60]fullerene derivatives. The main product is C₆₀Ph₅H but other components identified by mass spectrometry (and in some cases separated by HPLC) are: C_6oPh_n(n = 4, 6, 8, 10, 12), C₆₀Ph_nO₂(n = 4, 6, 8, 10, 12), C₆₀Ph_nOH (n = 7, 9, 11), C₆₀Ph_nH₂ (n = 4, 10), C₆₀Ph₄H₄, C₆₀Ph₅H₃, C₆₀Ph_n0₂H (n = 5, 9), C₆₀Ph₄C₆H₄O₂, C₆₀Ph₉OH₃, and C₆₀Ph₁₁ O₃H₂. In the corresponding reaction with toluene, the crude reaction mixture contained C₆₀(MeC₆H₄)₄ as a main product; C₆₀(ClC₆H₄)₅H was obtained from the reaction with chlorobenzene. Formation of these derivatives is believed to involve radical bromination of the fullerene, followed by electrophilic substitution of the hatogenofullerene into the aromatic, accompanied in some case by hydrolysis, elimination and epoxide formation; oxidation may also introduce ketone/dioxetane functionality. The EI mass spectra of C₆₀Ph₄O₂ and C₆₀Ph₈O₂show degradation to C₅₈Ph_n (n = 0-8), having structures believed to be related to the pseudofollerenes C₆₈Ph_n (n = 0-8) reported recently. These results suggest that some derivatisations of fullerenes confer stability, due to the relief of strain.     

Radiation-Induced Trichloromethylation of C60 Fullerene in Carbon Tetrachloride

The radiolysis of C₆₀ in CCl₄ has been studied in detail from the organic chemistry point of view. Solutions of C₆₀ in CCl₄ have been treated with γ radiation at 25, 50, 150, and 600 kGy, and the resulting products have been studied by electronic absorption spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, solid state ¹³C-MAS-NMR and by thermogravimetric analysis. The products have also been separated by liquid chromatographic analysis (HPLC). C₆₀ undergoes a multiple trichloromethylation reaction and on average about 6 trichloromethyl radicals add to the fullerene cage. The trichloromethylation reaction is accompanied by the dimerization and trimerization of C₆₀ fullerene. Also the oligomers appear to be trichloromethyl-substituted.

For reference the C₆₀ solutions in CCl₄ have also been photolyzed with UV light. Similar product as those observed in the radiolysis experiment have been detected. The main difference is that the photolysis products appear both chlorinated and trichloromethylated while the radiolysis product appear almost exclusively trichloromethylated.     

The Solubility of C60 Fullerene in Long Chain Fatty Acids Esters

A series of fatty acid esters of glycerol as linseed, sunflower, soybean and olive oils have been tested as C₆₀ fullerene solvents together with a mixture of methyl ester fatty acids derived from brassica oilseeds and used as a biofuel known as “biodiesel.” All the oils evaluated are effective solvents of C₆₀. The solubility of C₆₀ in the selected vegetable oils has been determined spectrophotometrically. The C₆₀ solubility in vegetable oils may pave the way for easier application of C₆₀ fullerene in medicinal chemistry and in additive chemistry for varnishes and fuels. It has been found that C₆₀ is not only soluble in the fatty acid esters but is also reactive with them under mild conditions, giving addition products easily recognized by a characteristic absorption band at 435 nm. The addition reaction mechanism has been discussed.     

Regiochemistry of Azide Additions to [70]Fullerene

In this paper we report for the first time on the reaction of C₇₀ with alkyl azides and show that the [3+2]-cycloaddition occurs preferably at bond 7 followed by bond 5 to give two regioisomeric A/B-triazolines and one C/C-triazoline Thermal extrusion of N₂ from these triazolines leads to open [5,6]-bridged iminofullerenes as A/A- and B/C-isomers as well as to the ring closed [6,6]-bridged analogues as A/B- and C/C-isomers. These results are in line with the corresponding thermal reaction of C₇₀ with diazomethane.     

Synthesis of Calix[4, 5, 6] Resorcinarenes Using Fullerene C60 as Template

We present a new use of fullerene C₆₀ as a template for the synthesis of cyclic resorcinarenes, The cyclocondensation of 2-methyl-resorcinol with benzaldehyde and hexanal in THF, catalyzed by AlCl₃, in the presence of 1%, 5%, and 10% fullerene C₆₀, produces calix[4], [5], and [6] resorcinarenes, with the pentamer and hexamer as the major products. The resorcinarenes were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR, FTIR, FAB⁺ mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis.     

Fullerene Research in Poland

Main results of the investigations of fullerene and its derivatives are briefly reviewed. Such topics as plasma spectroscopy, fullerenes and nanotubes formation, C₆₀ carbyne knots, fullerene reduction and doping, charge transfer states and electroabsorption of C₆₀, electrical conductivity, superconductivity, ESR properties, fullerene clathrates, C₆₀/C₇₀ complexes with organic donors, fullerene adducts, hydrogenated fullerenes, metallofullerenes and carbon nanotubes are discussed.     

Loss of Chlorine from C60 and C70 Chlorides

Fullerene contents of chlorinated C₆₀ and C₇₀ were determined with HPLC. n-Values of C₆₀Cl_n and C₇₀Cl_n were determined from mass increase during synthesis, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, PIXE, Nuclear Microprobe (¹²C[d,p]¹³C), and Electron Microprobe analysis. n-Values obtained immediately after synthesis were in the range 31-45. Best values obtained later were in the range 10-20. It is suggested that (i) the samples lost CS₂ or CS₂/CCl₄, or Cl of “crystallization” after synthesis, (ii) after synthesis the samples lost Cl bound to C₆₀ (iii) Cl was lost during the analysis, or (iv) some of all three.     

Spontaneous Decay of Highly-Charged Fullerene Ions C60Z and C58z

Using isotope-resolved, two sector field mass spectrometric techniques we have identified and investigated quantitatively the energetics and kinetics (in particular the kinetic energy release, KER) of the spontaneous decay reactions C_60-2m^z+ → C_60-2m-p(z-1)+ ₊ C_p⁺ with m = 0 or 1, z ranging from 3 to 6 and p = 2 and 4. The obtained KER results are not compatible with the properties expected for a single-step fissioning reaction as described by the liquid drop model. Therefore the present data had to be interpreted by a different fragmentation mechanism. This novel reaction sequence, termed auto charge transfer (ACT) reaction, is initiated by the statistically driven neutral C₂ (or C₄₎ evaporation followed by an electron transfer process from the receding C₂ (or C₄) fragment to the remaining highly-charged fullerene ion thereby leading finally to the two charged reaction products observed in the exit channel of the decay reaction. Moreover, in the case that a C₂⁺ loss from C₆₀z+ is occurring in the first field-free region we have been able to demonstrate that it is possible to observe in the second field-free region a subsequent C₂ evaporation from the C₅₈(z-1)⁺ fragment ion.