Synthesis and explosive decomposition of polynitro[60]fullerene

Prolonged treatment of C₆₀ in benzene with very high concentrations of N₂O₄ leads to a new polynitro[60]fullerene whose composition was determined as C₆₀(NO₂)₁₄ by thermogravimetric analysis. The compound is unstable and deflagrates above 170 °C when heated under nitrogen or in air with the release of a considerable amount of heat as observed by the differential thermal analysis and as measured by differential scanning calorimetry. The decomposition steps of C₆₀(NO₂)₁₄ were followed by the thermogravimetric analysis coupled with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analytical technique. At the deflagration point C₆₀(NO₂)₁₄ releases a mixture of nitrogen oxides: NO₂ and NO with minor amounts of N₂O. The deflagration leaves a residue of oxidized carbon which by heating releases CO₂ and CO and at 700 °C is reduced to a carbonaceous matter free from residual oxygenated groups showing also the presence of small amounts (⩽10%) of C₆₀ fullerene.